DA KE adie
$4.95
MACATINE ,
—— ens
of = SINCLAIR COMPUTERS
The Sinclair QL
~a 32 bit CPU Powerhouse!
THE Z88 UNDER 2 LBS.
A Computer Without Compromise
ne roe weiss MPDATE COMPUTER SYSTEMS
PO. Box 1095
Peru, Indiana 46970
Nev/s AND New PrRopuctTs
* UPDATE COMPUTER SYSTEMS %*
UPDATE COMPUTER SYSTEMS is Edited and Published by Carol and Frank
Davis of P.Q. Box 1095, Peru, Indiana 46970. Phone number is
317-473-8031, with normal phone hours being between 5 P.M. and 9:30
P.M, Eastern Time during the week and Noon to 6 P.M. on weekends. When
we are not there or unavailable, please leave a message with our
answering machine. Unless urgent you will be answered by mail.
Mailing date for all issues is the fifteenth of the issue month.
The magazine ig published on a quarterly basis in the months of
October, January, April and July. All subscriptions begin and end at
the same time...first issue being October and all renewals coming due
after receipt of the July issue. The cost is $18.00 U.S, for a one year
subscription for North America, and for those outside of this area
$20.00 U.S. Ye accept personal and business checks, money orders and to
obtain back issues prior to October 1990, please contact the former
Publisher, Bill Jones at 1317 Stratford Ave., Panama City, Florida
32404, He will gladly provide you with the needed issues and
information. The use of a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope would be
appreciated and help to speed o reply.
Assistance in Publishing this magazine is provided by Eliad P. Wannum,
poet, computer user and all round good guy. The magazine is made
possible by the regular contributors such as Peter Hale, Bill Cable, Al
Feng, Bob Hartung to name a few, and by the many contributions of other
writers and programmers. Your contributions to this magazine are
welcome. This is truly a magazine BY THE USER AND FOR THE USER OF
SINCLAIR, TIMEX AND CAMBRIDGE COMPUTERS. When we cover other operating
systems such as CPM or MSDOS it will be in relationship to our
computers or emulators for our systems to run their software. We
primarily cover disk based systems and software for the T1S2068,
Spectrum, QL, Z88...and will cover items on the TS1000 if disk drive
based or in relationship to using it with the above mentioned
computers. We do accept reviews of peripherals that are useable by our
systems, such as scanners, printers, modems, etc. Submissions should be
on disk or hard copy (two copies and at least NLQ, no draft mode). If
there is artwork, please let us know in what order it should be used,
and provide it as a saved screen or hard copy screen dump. The format
is very relaxed, Just pay attention to the width of the pages and allow
3/4 inch top and bottom, and make the left and right margins wide
enough to accomodate a 3 hole punch that does not cut out some of the
text. We have enlarge and reduction capacity to adjust a page, but may
lose some print legibility in the process. Most important is
legibility. Draft quality dot matrix does not reproduce well. Print
size preference is ELITE 12 characters per inch. PICA 10 characters
per inch is okay also, but please no condensed print. Please do not
make programs submitted on cassette tape under any circumstance, disk
or hardcopy only. Exceptions to this would be the wafers used on the
Rotronics Wafadrive for the Spectrum or TS2068 with emulator. 288
programs on disk may be in either IBM or QL format or hardcopy. TS2068
programs may be LLISTED in 32 chr. lines, but that is not solely
necessary, just do not send a copy protected disk that needs to be
LLISTED.
UPDATE COMPUTER SYSTEMS PAGE DIRECTORY, APRIL 1991
The computer that an article concerns is marked by using the
following mark at the start of the page number-TS2068 = *,QL = #
,288 = % . There will be no mark if the article or ad applies to
all or several different computer systems.
Inside Front Cover contains magazine basic information
Page No. 1---Directory
Page No. 2---Editorial by Frank Davis
Page No. 3---Notice From Bill Jones/ Bottle Cap Software Ad
*Page No. 4---DataStore and DataFetch by David Solly
*Page No. 10---Disjointed Programming Tips by Bill Jones
*Page No. 11---Byte Power Ad
*Page No. 12---A Menagerie Of Opinions & Some Programming Tips
by Bill Jones
Page No. 15---Amateur Programming Support by Bill Jones
*Page No. 15---Print Factory Graphics Ad by J. McMichael
*Page No. 16---Customized 2-Column Tasword Printouts
by Bob Hartung
*Page No. 17---2068 Home Rom Corrections-Part 1 by
Bill Pederson
#Page No. 25---Cable Column by Bill Cable
#Page No. 26---Wood and Wind Computing Ad
Page No. 27---Mechanical Affinity Ad
#Page No. 28---How To Do Do In TK2 by Bob Hartung
Page No. 29---RMG Ad
#Page No. 30---QLUSTer/OL Utilities by Al Feng
Page No. 35---Eliad’s Wanderings by E. P. Wannum
#Page No. 36---Printer “A/B" Switch Eliminator by Mort Binstock
Page No. 37---Ed Grey Enterprises Ad
*Page No. 38---The Sinclair Desktop Publishing Journal by Mike
Felerski
#Page No. 42---QL Desktop Publishing by Frank Davis
*Page No. 43---Two Column + Wide Tasword Printouts by Bob
Hartung
*Page Na. 43---Dropped Bytes by Bob Hartung
%Page No. 44---Domino Cubes Ad
%Page No. 45---Z88 Programs On Disk from Domino Cubes
#Page No. 48---Non-Epson Screen Dumps from Easel by Bob Hartung
#Page No. 48---EMSoft Ad
#Page No. 49---Computer Therapy by Bill Woodward
Back Covers ---Issue Disks for TS2068 and QL
All material used in this publication is copywritten and remains
solely in ownership by either the Magazine or the author. To
reprint from this magazine please contact either the magazine
or specific author. All Issue Disks are copyrighted and remain
the property of the software author. All hardware advice is
followed at the users sole risk.
EDITORIAL by Frank Davis, Editor
Welcome to another issue of this magazine. We found
ourselves running a wee bit late once again. This time it
was not due to mechanical failure, but rather to Carol injuring
herself and ending up with 6 to 8 weeks on crutches and a walker
in order to get around. She is slowly getting better, and will
hopefully be well enough to attend our user group picnic the 8th
of June at our country place. As she normally does all the cut
and paste, photocopying and collating, this procedure got slowed
down. We may be a bit late at times, but we will get there. Your
patience is appreciated.
Jack Dohany and I spoke recently and he told me he was a bit
hasty in his announcement of pulling out of the retail end
of selling Sinclair products, and that he will be taking orders
till he has finalized arrangement for his products to be carried
by other dealers. He did say that service would not be fast
during this time period, but that he will deliver.
We have had a few good readers and Sinclair users pass away
recently and I wish to dedicate this issue to them. They are Don
Lamen, Warren Fricke, and Marinus W. Heuseveldt. They were all
people who loved Sinclair computing and to whom I had spoken
or met. They will be missed by all, and I extend our condolences
to their families.
Have all of you heard that there will not be a Sinclair or
Timex-Sinclair Fest this year? Guess what...that is not entirely
true! For many years the Dayton Microcomputer Association of
Dayton, Ohio has produced the official COMPUTERFEST, and has
offered us space at this years show for a subshow for Sinclairs
and Timex-Sinclair. This show has around 15,000 attendees each
year and has long ( at least the past six years’ I know about)
had a few Sinclair groups attend with a couple of Sinclair
lectures. Gary Ganger of Dayton (he was on the committees for
the shows I produced for Sinclairs at Cincinnati and
Indianapolis in 1986 and 1987) is the contact person for this at
513-849-1483. The show will take place August 24th and 25th at
the Hara Arena in Dayton Ohio. General admission tickets for
this are $5.00 each. For those interested there will be a
banquet the night before. Contact Gary for more info on that by
phoning at a decent hour or writing him at his home at 8612
Hedwick Street, New Carlisle, Ohio, 45344-2619.
At this time SMUG from Wisconsin, ISTUG from Indiana, the
Dayton Timex-Sinclair Users Group will definitely be there.- I
have heard that CATUG of Illinois, CATS of D.C., and the
Cleveland Sinclair Users Group may possibly be there. Mechanical
Affinity will be there, QUANTA, and of course UPDATE Magazine
all ready to serve you. I talked to Ed Grey about this and he
seemed interested. Now it is up to you readers, users and other
groups to help bring this about. Contact Gary and offer him some
help with this, or to do a seminar. With SMUG there I expect
they will be bringing more Timex stuff from Zebra to sell.
In order to reserve a dealer, user group or flea market
table all in the same block Gary will need to have your money
and reservation before June the first. This is our chance, so
let us take advantage of this. We hope to have much more
information on this for the July issue of UPDATE. See you all at
the show.
NOTICE
From: Bill Jones, past Publisher
(This is not a disappearing act.)
My Software titles appear in most back issues of Update Magazine
with my own personal address as the ordering source. From this day
forward 1 would like for all orders for my software to be addressed to
UPDATE MAGAZINE and not to me. In the event that 1 receive orders the
orders will be forwarded to UPDATE for fill. The reason for this is
that I am a philanthropoid. J want to continue to support Update and
its subscribers. The proceeds of each order of my software is split 50%
with the magazine, which provides a smal] but continuing income to help
defray publishing expense.
But not to worry! I will continue to welcome all HELP calls and
will continue to exchange any faulty disks supplied by either myself or
Jpdate, and will continue to send in articles for Frank Davis to
selectively publish. If you get tired of these articles, write some for
publication and mine will be crowded out!
Right now I'm working on conversions of all of my software to both
OLIGER DOS and LKDOS and will release then to Update as they are
finished. But this work is a slow process. For example; the Hybiscus
software conversion to Oliger DOS involves work on the syntax and
program lines of 2.5 Megabytes of progranming in two formats (40 and 80
track).
Finally, I wish to give my thanks to the many who have continuously
written or called to express their warm friendship and cooperation over
the past four years. You subscribers are truly a friendly and
cooperative group, the very best association of fine people in the whole
World. T hope that all of you will give Frank and Carol Davis your
friendship and support. They truly deserve it. AND- THANKS for being
my Friend! _BJ-
+ 50 f tware
For Qwners of
Zebra Systems
O564 Cartridge
From Bottle Cap Software
1284 Brushwood five.
Cincinnati, OH 445224
ALL Titles are $5 + $1 S&H
and come on quality cassette
with FULL instructions! !
For &@ catalog of our other
Programs for TS2068/TS190e
Spectrum and TS2068+0564
Send a large SASE.
Checkbook Keeper Balance
This program not only ok
Ck Of your checks,
d ATM withdrawals
S a special routi
u Balance your ac
d of the month!
lumns making ite
Ame Toe
o30055
Maxi-Bill helps sort o
Of your credit card bill
rats
ssio0nal ca
t
for cassette
DATASTORE() AND DATAFETCH ()
TWO LARKEN DOS PROCEDURES
FOR HISOFT ® PASCAL
PROGRAM AND ARTICLE BY
DAVID SOLLY
When you have become spoiled by having a disk drive
system on your Timex/Sinclair 2068, such as I have, you soon
begin to wonder what use is there in having a compiler which
allows you to write programs which are easy to maintain and
run like wildfire when compiled but grind snail’s pace when
they have to access the cassette drive to store or fetch
data. This has been the problem with HiSoft Pascal compiler
for the Timex/ Sinclair 2068; however, with the new
procedures DataStore() and DataFetch() variable data can be
stored to and fetched from disk under LARKEN DOS.
How the Procedures Work
All versions of Pascal use a stack in one form or
another to keep track of parameter passing amongst
procedures and functions. HiSoft Pascal uses the Ix
register to perform this function. In the case of
DataStore() and DataFetch(), thirteen bytes, starting from
IX+2, become reserved in the IX register when the procedure
is called. Depending upon whether it is the DataStore() or
DataFetch() procedure that is being called, the first two
bytes contain the number of bytes which are to be
transferred to or from the disk. This number is usually
passed to the procedure through the function SIZE() 1 The
next two bytes contain the start address of the segment to
be transferred to disk or to where it is to be placed in
RAM. This address is usually supplied through the function
ADDR(). The remaining nine bytes contain the name under
which the data will be stored to, or, fetched from the disk.
In the demonstration program the variables Name and FileName
have been created of the user defined type iostring to pass
the file name from where it is read from the keyboard to the
procedures. Once the required information has been passed
to the procedure being called, the INLINE routine in turn
transfers the information to certain memory locations in the
LARKEN DOS cartridge and invokes the proper routines within
LARKEN DOS to store or fetch the data.
1 The DataStore() and DataFetch() procedures, like
their tape counterparts DIN() and DOUT(), can be used to
transfer virtually any section of RAM, including the screen
buffer, on or off the disk by supplying the start and length
parameters in the locations occupied by ADDR() and SIZE().
David Solly DataStore(}) & DataFetch()
Demo Program’
The demonstration program creates a small telephone
directory in which you can store ten names and ten numbers.
The program will ask you to enter ten names and numbers to
fill the directory. Next it will ask for a name under which
to store all the data which you have entered into the
variable Directory to the disk. Finally it will ask for the
file name of the data to retrieve from the disk. When you
first run the program you will have to reuse the name you
just used to store the data or the program may crash. If
you run the program several times and create a number of
files on the disk under different names you can then use any
of these names and the data stored under the name selected
will be retrieved and displayed.
Program Listing
1000 {$L-}
1010 PROGRAM STRDIR;
1020
1030
1040 CONST
1050
1060 MaxLen = 32;
1070 MaxEnt = 5;
1080
1090
1100 TYPE
1110
1120 iostring = ARRAY[1..9] OF CHAR;
1130
1140
1150
1160 String = RECORD
1170 CharStr : ARRAY [1..MaxLen] OF CHAR;
1180 Len : INTEGER
1190 END;
1200
1210 Entry = RECORD
1220 Name : String;
1230 Number : String;
1240 END;
1250
1260
? Based in part on the HiSoft Pascal demonstration
program Tape.
David Solly DataStore() & DataFetch()
1270
1280 VAR
1290
1300 Directory : ARRAY [1..MaxEnt] OF Entry;
1310 I : INTEGER;
1320 9 Ans : CHAR;
1330 FileName : iostring;
1340
1350
1360
1370 PROCEDURE StrRead (VAR EntryData : String);
1380
1390 BEGIN
1400
1410 EntryData.Len := 0;
1420 IF EOLN THEN READLN; {Clear the buffer}
1430
1440 WHILE NOT EOLN DO
1450
1460 BEGIN
1470 EntryData.Len := EntryData.Len + 1;
1480 READ (EntryData.CharStr[EntryData.Len])
1490 END;
1500
1510
1520 READLN; {Required after READ}
1530
1540 END;
1550
1560
1570
1580 PROCEDURE StrWrite(VAR PrintData : String);
1590
1610
1620 VAR
1630
1640 Letter : INTEGER;
1650
1660 BEGIN
1670
1680 FOR Letter := 1 TO PrintData.Len DO
1690
1700 WRITE (PrintData.CharStr[Letter])
1710
1720 END;
1730
1740
1750
1760
1770 PROCEDURE ReadData;
1780
1790 BEGIN
1800
1810
1820 PAGE;
1830
1840 FOR I := 1 TO MaxEnt DO
1850
David Solly DataStore() & DataFetch()
1860 BEGIN
1870
1880 WITH Directory[I] DO
1890
1900 BEGIN
1910 WRITE (‘Enter Name ',1I:2,', Please >‘);
1920 StrRead (Name) ;
1930 WRITELN;
1940 WRITE (‘Enter Number, Please >’);
1950 StrRead (Number) ;
1960 END;
1970
1980 END;
1990
2000 END;
2010
2020
2030 PROCEDURE PrintData;
2040
2050
2060 BEGIN
2070
2080 FOR I := 1 TO MaxEnt DO
2090
2100 BEGIN
2110
2120 WITH Directory[I] DO
2130
2140 BEGIN
2150
2160 StrWrite (Name) ;
2170 WRITE(" /);
2180 StrWrite (Number) ;
2190 WRITELN
2200
2210 END
2220
2230 END
2240
2250 END;
2260
2270
2280 PROCEDURE DataStore (Name : iostring;
2290 Start, Bytes : INTEGER);
2300
2310 BEGIN
2320
2330 INLINE (
2340
2350 #F3, #CD, #62, #00, #3E, #0B, #32, #02,
2360 #20, #DD, #E5, #21, #22, #20, #06, #09,
2370 #DD, #7E, #06, #FE, #00, #20, #02, #35,
2380 #20, #77, #23, #DD, #23, #10, #F1, #DD,
2390 #£1, #CD, #CC, #00, #DD, #6E, #04, #DD,
2400 #66, #05, #22, #33, #20, #DD, #6E, #02,
2410 #DD, #66, #03, #22, #31, #20, #CD, #CF,
2420 #00, #3A, #64, #00, #FB
2430
David Solly
2440
2450
2460
2470
2480
2490
2500
2510
2520
2530
2540
2550
2560
2570
2580
2590
2600
2610
2620
2630
2640
2650
2660
2670
2680
2690
2700
2710
2720
2730
2740
2750
2760
2770
2780
2790
2800
2810
2820
2830
2840
2850
2860
2870
2880
2890
2900
2910
2920
2930
2940
2950
2960
2970
2980
2990
2995
3000
END;
DataStore() & DataFetch (
PROCEDURE DataFetch (Name
BEGIN
INLINE (
#F3,
#5C,
#21,
#FE,
#DD,
#00,
#DD,
#20,
#31,
#FB
END;
#CD,
#3E,
#22,
#00,
#23,
#62,
#08,
#20,
#20,
#10,
#30,
#04,
#6E,
#CD,
#00,
#32,
#06,
#02,
4#F1,
#5C,
#DD,
#02,
#09,
BEGIN (MAIN PROGRAM}
PAGE;
#3E,
#02,
#09,
#35,
4DD,
4FE,
#66,
#DD,
#00,
iostring;
#64,
#20,
#DD,
#20,
#E1,
#65,
#05,
#66,
#3A,
Start, Bytes : INTEGER);
WRITELN (‘The object of this program is to demonstrate’);
WRITELN (‘how type may be developed to emulate the’);
WRITELN (‘type String which is found in other versions’);
WRITELN (‘of Pascal and also to demonstrate how data’);
WRITELN (‘stored within records and arrays may be’);
WRITELN (‘transferred to and from the LARKEN Disk’);
WRITELN (‘system using the new procedures "DataStore()" and‘);
WRITELN (‘"DataFetch()".‘)7
WRITELN;
WRITELN;
WRITELN (‘Hit any key when ready.’);
READLN;
READ (Ans
ReadData
PAGE;
ye
WRITELN(’Now to store the data to disk’);
WRITELN;
WRITE (‘Enter a name for disk storeage >’);
READLN;
READ (FileName) ;
DataStore (FileName, ADDR (Directory) , SIZE (Directory) );
PAGE;
WRITE (‘Data Stored.’);
WRITELN;
WRITELN(/Now to fetch the data from the disk.’);
WRITELN;
WRITELN (‘Enter a name for disk fetch >’);
READLN;
READ (FileName) ;
David Solly DataStore() & DataFetch()
3010 READLN;
3020 DataFetch (FileName, ADDR(Directory) , SIZE (Directory)) ;?
3030 PAGE;
3040 PrintData;
3050 WRITELN;
3060 WRITELN;
3070 WRITELN (‘End of Demonstration’) ‘
3080
Sir Clive’s Castle BBS
TIMEX/SINCLAIR 2068
QWERTYUIOP
ASDFGHdJK L RET
2xXCVYBNMS sp LKDOS
1402-1545 Alta Vista Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
KIG 3P4
(613)745-8838
300/1200 Baud
24 Hours A Day
Message Bases
Sinclair Computer Information
* Sinclair File Transfers
= LARKEN DOS SIG
Pascal Programming SIG
No User Fees!
> DataFetch(), unlike its tape counterpart DIN(),
requires both the start and length parameter in its
argument.
4 This program source code is available from Sir
Clive’s Castle BBS, Ottawa, Canada at (613) 745-8838. The
file is called STRDIR.PS.
Disjointed Programming Tips
TS-2068 Disk Drive Operations
Bought a six pack of DSDD Diskettes from
"SAMS" for $18.00. | Sams is the discount chain
owned by Walmart . These were Maxwell brand and
the 60 diskettes in the pack cost 30 cents each.
Used them up in 2 days copying the big "Hybiscus”
software for filling orders. Wish we had a faster
DISK COPY program! it takes 8 minutes to copy an
80 track disk!
While copying several disks the disk drive
heats up and the resukts seem to be an occasional
CRC ERROR, either during Disk Copy or during
FORMAT. It could be that I'll need to replace the
drives pretty soon. But my solution for now is to
stop for a cuppa and let the drives cool down. So
far, the Error Disk will re-format or copy without
probleas.
EXCELLENT LXDOS DISK UTILITIES: The Toronto
club has many disk utilities in their library.
One that 7 find particularily useful is
"COPY12.B1". This program allows the copying of
either "Selected Files” or ALL FILES.
EXCELLENT OLIGER DISK UTILITIES: The "DOSDEX
GROUP", by Bob Hartung is available as an Issue
Disk from Update Magazine. This is the most
complete set of disk tools that 1 have seen.
WHAT IS A "DOS"?
A Disk Operating System: A collection of
utility programs designed to send and receive
packages of data to and from a disk drive magnetic
recorder, The Disk Drive is controlled by BASIC
PROGRAMMING. Such Basic Programming is stored in
Machine Code form in either EPROM or RAM MEMORY.
Mostly our TS-2068 DOS versions are stored in
permanent EPROM memory, but there is one DOS
(RAMEX) that is loaded from Disk into the
computer's RAM Memory. All DOS require an
Interface between the computer and the disk drive.
The interface has a "Disk Controller Chip” that
intrepets Basic Commands into signals that
"instructs" the disk drive to perform the RECORD
or PLAY BACK tasks.
TWO TYPES of TS-2068 DOS:
Actually there are five, but only two DOS
remains Actively supported. These are the "Oliger
DOS" and the Larken DOS (LKDOS). The DOS consists
10
of hardware boards that plug in to the rear deck
of the TS-2068, The hardware boards contain the
Disk Interface and EPROM Memory which contains the
DOS programming. The hardware boards connect to
the Disk Drive by means of a 34 conductor flat
ribbon cable. The manual that is supplied with
the hardware board explains the usage of the
system.
John Oliger, 11601 Whidbey
Drive, Cumberland, IN 46190. or RNG ENTERPRISES,
1419 1/2 7th St., Oregon City, OR 97045. or Ed
Grey Enterprises, PO Box 2186, Inglewood, CA
90305. A letter to these sources will bring a
catalog of their wares.
Availibility:
LAST CHANCE: (To Upgrade your TS-2068 to
Disk Drive): Larken Electronics has discontinued
making the LKDOS hardware. There are a few
systems remaining in stock by RMG and Ed Grey.
Jobn Oliger remains as the only active supporter
(including Service) for Disk drive systems for the
TS-2068.
COMPARISONS: Oliger DOS is the fastest to
execute Disk Drive commands. Oliger DOS has a
built in RGB Interface to use an RGH Monitor.
LKDOS has one exclusive capability of "Sequential
Files" Save and Load. Other than these two
features the two DOS are almost identical. If |
were buying a DOS today I would select Oliger DOS
because of its continued (timely) service and
support.
RECIPE for Automatic Pancakes: 1. Use any
brand of Pancake Mix or roll your own. 2. To the
batter add two pinches of ground Mexican Jumping
Beans. 3. Pour small portions onto hot griddle.
$# The result: As each side gets done the
pancakes flip themselves over. Warning: Dont use
wor'n two pinches else they may stick to the
ceiling. (Recipe given by a grizzled old goucho
of questionable integrety). Until then, See You!
Bu.
SHARP'S
BOX 326
MECH., VA. 23111
TELE (804) 730-9697
FAX (804) 746-1978
ITEM
AUGUST 1986
SEPTEMBER 1986
OCTOBER 1986
NOVEMBER 1986
DEC 86/JAN 87
FEBRUARY 1987
SPRING 1987
BYTE POWER CATALOG
DESCRIPTION PRICE
*** MAGAZINES ***
GRAND PRIX, HANG MAN, ETC,.......0eeeeeeue 5.99
CONSTRUX, PHONE BOOK, ETC,.. err re 2)
AIR DEFENCE, CHARTS, CHECKERS, ETC,
PLUKKERS HUNT, TOWERS OF HANOI, ETC
GHOST HUNTERS, GRAFIX, Q*BER, ETC,.
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QUALIFIER, DECISION MAKER, ETC,....
FALL 1987 QUIZOMANIA, INTEREST CALCULATOR, ETC,..
FEBRUARY 1988 CONFLICT, PACHIZEE, MUSI-PRINT, ETC,...
MAY 1988 FUTURE HERO, RENUMBER II, PUZZLE, ETC,.
FALL 1988 SPREADSHEET II, SCREEN COMPACTOR, ETC,.
WINTER 1989 = ss aoe see eeee dine 6 Ws atig sdoorta fe andra hese oe aa wl ea beep e
BEST OF ARCADE BEST GAMES (AUG 86-FEB 88).......+-.-4005 22
BEST OF BUSINESS BEST BUSINESS PROGRAM & UTILITIES........ 22.
BEST OF ENTERTMNT BEST ENTERTAINMENT & STATEGY GAMES....... 22.
6 ISSUE SUBSCRIPTION (OR ANY 6 BACK ISSUES)...........0.005 32
DEMO/ CATALOG
FONTS II
2+FAST
PRINT FACTORY
THE COMPANION
SAMPLE OF BYTE POWER MAGAZINE & CATALOG...3.
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28 FONTS, 64 COLUMN PRINT, DOUBLE, ETC,..22
SAVE & LOAD AT HIGH SPEED (3300 BPS)..... 22.
PRINT ANY TYPE OF DOCUMENTS (POSTER etc).27.
LOTS OF IMAGES, FONTS, etc, FOR FACTORY. .27
95
95
95
95
THE PRINT FACTORY COMES ON 3 TAPES AND THE COMPANION ON 4 TAPES.
NOTE:
Anyone with remaining issues can,
FOI IOI IOI IK
on request,
remaining issues credit (in part or in full) with any
of the above software (not exceeding credit value).
All prices include shipping & handling charges
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A Menagerie of Opinions
And some programming tips
By Bill Jones
Hey Guys and Gals, Spring has
sprung here in NW Florida, so it will be
Sailing and Fishing for me for the next
9 months. I just can't sit here at the
computer lookin outa the winder at good
sailing weather. So, dont expect much
wizdem outa me for the next few issues.
This time I'll give you a little
program I named “Simple Simon Labels”.
This is so easy that I whipped it up in
a few minutes instead of hunting to find
a more complicated label printing
program. It's done in LKDOS, but is
easy to go the Oliger DOS route. In
fact if you're using Oliger DOS you can
just eliminate the MERGE in line #60 and
substitute <LET /p=o0:PAUSE 0>. This
will Jet you set your printer manually
for whatever print style you want. Then
when the printer is set, just touch
ENTER and you'l] be ready.
The ""Init"" program has been given
before in back issues and I include it
just to show again how useful it is for
setting up LKDOS and the printer styles.
So, we wont discuss "Init".
We will discuss the Simon program a
bit. Labels come in different sizes.
It is the DEPTH dimension of the label
that might give you problems. "Simon"
is set for an ordinary label that
accommodates four lines, with two line
spaces between the labels. If you are
using a different size: BIGGER SIZE,
add another data string or two, like E$,
F$, etc, to line number 10. Correct the
spacing between lines by adding or
deleting ticks in line number 90 {just
before the "NEXT N". For SMALLER size
labels, delete the D$ input in line #10.
and delete a tick or two in line #90.
CRANKY DISK DRIVE OPERATION
lost the use of a 40
It had been giving a lot
I recently
track drive.
rm
errors and finally I got fed up
to add it toa favorite
fishing reef. By the way, if you want
to compound Drive problems, while
spending some money foolishly, the way
to do it is to take a drive to a repair
of cRC
and decided
shop. They'll nick you for $40 to $60
and the problem "might" be fixed. And
while you're waiting for your worn out
drive to be fixed you could be calling
Rod Gowen to have a new replacement sent
in. The cost will be near the same.
The diff is you'll either have your worn
out drive (possibly fixed temporarily)
or you'll have a new one that carrys a
90 day dealer warranty.
DRIVE PROBLEMS: First let me say
that 1 was talking to ole Frank Davis
tother day. He said that Bob Swoger had
run into some customer problems with
some versions of LKDOS boards. Seems
that some versions dont make the disk
waltz like it should. I hope that Frank
can get Bob to do a more informative
article about that situation, perhaps in
this issue. So I'll leave you hanging
on that.
CRC PROBLEMS: There are quite a
few sources for these. Frankly I dont
know what CRC means, except thats what
the screen says when LKDOS wont load or
save a program or data. Oliger DOS says
something different, but both mean the
same problem. Over the years I have had
about a dozen folks send disks back
saying that they wont load nuttingstein,
only to load perfectly for me. One
would think that the majority of such
problems would be a faulty Diskette, but
that seems to be the least likely
problem of all. Out of several thousand
diskettes used J] have had perhaps one
out of 50 that gave problems. And,
strangely, the ones that gave problems
were the most expensive diskettes. I
now buy diskettes via mail order in lots
of 50 for 59 cents each.
TYPE OF DISKETTES 40 or 80 Track:
Did you know that it makes no
difference? Just dont buy TBM “HD"
Diskettes. The "HD" diskette means that
they are made for the 1.2 or 1.44
Megabyte format capability of the IBM
systems. These HD disks have sector
markers imbedded in the recording medium
at the factory. We can Format them and
they will "seem to work", but after
about a day or two the programs recorded
wont load. Always buy the el-cheapo 59
cent disks (DSDD) and you wont have
diskette problems. Chances are that if
you buy from Radio Shack they'll sell
you HD Diskettes. The clerks dont know
no difference.
The DSDD diskette will format in in
either your 40 or 80 track drive and
work fine. LOAD or SAVE errors are
mostly caused by the disk drive itself
being out of kilter. The problem can be
several: 1. The Recording Head can be
mis-aligned. 2. Cigarette smoke or dust
may have taken its toll on the drive.
3. The drive door latch may not be
engaging the drive head close enough to
the diskette. 4. The spring in the
drive head mechanism may be weak. 5.
The stepping motor of the drive may not
be stepping the right distance.
How can one be sure it is the Disk
Drive that is causing problems? Well,
we can only use our noggin! Texas talk
is, Use Horse Sense. If one diskette
out of many fritzes then throw it away
and use another diskette. If all out of
a NEW box of diskettes fail, then try a
different brand. If you cannot load
programs sent to you, send the diskette
back and the supplier will replace it.
If the replacement disk wont load, then
it is likely that your disk drive
recording heads are not aligned
properily, or you have other drive
problems.
OLD DRIVES MAY BE SLOW: Maybe you
have one of them real ole timers? If
SO, and you are having SAVE LOAD
problems, try FORMATING with a slower
speed setting. The Oliger DOS has a
"LET/h=" command to let us set a lower
speed. Both Oliger and LKDOS defaults
to 6 ms speed of recording. And all
disk drives made after about 1978 are
high speed drives. If you have one of
these old timers, chances are 9 to 1
that you should send it to me for it to
15
be added to my fishing reef. If not, be
prepared to lose many of your fine
epistles as you continue to struggle
with it. Now I know that this has not
been a hi-tech analysis of disk drive
problems, but the most detailed
technical data would not have added
practicality. We cannot do much to fix
a cranky drive, and the repair cost
equals the replacement cost. (About
$60.00).
The AbC's of >READ DATA RESTORE<
Here is a little programming
tutorial for the TS-2068, the Sinclair
QL, or (bit my tongue) the IBM. It
involves the use of READ DATA RESTORE.
These three commands are always used
together. You could think of them as
the Three Musketeers, Three Blind Mice,
or the Data Trio. Please refer to the
listing while reading the explanations.
The program uses the N counter to
count up from 65 to 90, which happens to
be the ASCII Codes for the upper case
alphabet. Variable x is given the
initial value of 97, which is the code
for lower case "a". From there on the
plot thickens. As given, line #20
“RESTORES line #70, which is the READ
line. RESTORE is used to point to the
right line to READ some DATA bits. Line
#30 then READs the value of varaible x
for each count of the counter N. Line
#40 converts the numerical values of
both “Nand X" into the literal
character represented by the numbers,
and then prints the two characters.
Line #50 increments variable x and gets
the next N count. Run the program for
effect.
There is another data line at line
#80. It is not used as the program
exists because of the REM at line #8.
Remove the REM at line 8 and install a
REM at line 20. Run the program again
for effect.
Note the long DATA line at line
#80. The point for illustration is that
the same effect of using a long DATA
listing can be achieved by using a
single DATA bit in a variable as is used
in line #70. Such a scheme requires
RESTORE “Each TIME" the Data is to be
READ, otherwise the "END OF DATA” Report
would stop the program. Many of the
better Arcade programs use a computed
variable which is READ by the operating
program in similiar fashion. Question:
After changing to RESTORE line #80, Why
is the value of "x" not changed to foul
up the works at line #50? Ans: x is
indeed changed at line 50, but x is READ
again before printing by line #30, Keep
on digging until you can unearth the
logic. Have fun! _BJ-
Simple Simon Labels
LET c$
“line 1"'a$
: BEEP 1,18: INPUT "line 2"'b$: B
EEP 1,18: INPUT “line 3"'c$: BEEP
1,18: INPUT "line 4"'d$
20 CLS : PRINT a$'bS'c$'d$: INP
UT "Correct? <1> yes <2> no"sa: I
F a=1 THEN GO TO 50
30 INPUT "Enter line # to Corre
et":x: INPUT "Enter new line" ;m$:
LET a$=(a$ AND x<>1)+(m$ AND x=1
): LET b$=(b$ AND x<>2)+(m$ AND x
=2): LET e$=(c$ AND x<>3)+(m$ AND
res LET d$=(d$ AND x<>4)+(m$ A
x=4)
wo CLS : G TO 20
50 CLS : INPUT "Install! Labels
in Printer ENTER" ;y$
60 INPUT "Is DOS Printer Driver
READY <1> Yes <2> No"tz: IF
z=2 THEN RANDOMIZE USR 100: MERG
E "Init.B6": GO SUB VAL "1993": D
ELETE 1993,
70 CLS : INPUT "Enter Left TAB"
3tb
80 INPUT "Enter number of label
s"5x
90 FOR n=1 TO x: FOR y=1 TO 4:
LPRINT TAB tb3a$'TAB tb;b$'TAB tb
3e$'TAB tb3d$: LPRINT '': NEXT n
14
The Merge "Init" Program
1993 BORDER NOT PI: PAPER NOT PI:
INK VAL "7": CLS : LET pg=NOT NO
T PI: LET nn=NOT PI: PRINT AT 7,4
3"Touch:"''TAB 4;"<1> For TS-2040
Printer"''TAB 4;"<2> For Dot Mat
rix"''TAB 4;"<3> For Daisy Wheel"
3AT 18,7; INVERSE 1;"PRINTER MUST
BE ON"; INVERSE 0: PAUSE 0: LET
z=CODE INKEY$-VAL "48": LET pr=z~-
: IF 2<1 OR z>2 THEN GO TO VAL
"1993"
1994 IF pr=0 THEN RANDOMIZE USR
100: OPEN #7,"LP": RANDOMIZE USR
100: POKE VAL "16092",0: GO TO VA
L "1998"
1995 CLS : RANDOMIZE USR VAL "100
": OPEN #3,"lp": PRINT AT 10,33;"E
LECT Type CPI:"''TAB 3;"[1] Aerco
- Oliger"''TAB 3;"[2] Tasman CPI
"''TAB 3;"[3] A & J CPI": PAUSE 0
: LET a = CODE INKEY$-VAL "49": PRI
r Need Line Feed? <y
Y$: LET b=(10 AND w$="y
")+(NOT PI AND w$<>"y" AND wSO"Y
"): RANDOMIZE USR 100: OPEN #4,"d
da": RANDOMIZE USR VAL "100": POKE
VAL "16096",a: RANDOMIZE USR VAL
"100": POKE VAL "16090",VAL "138
"; RANDOMIZE USR VAL "100": POKE
VAL "16092",0: RANDOMIZE USR VAL
"100": POKE VAL "16094",NOT PI: L
PRINT : RANDOMIZE USR 100: POKE 1
6092,b
1996 CLS : LET m=VAL "1997":: OUT
VAL "127",VAL "27": GO SUB m: OU
T VAL "127", VAL "120": GO SUB m:
OUT VAL "127",VAL "1": PRINT AT 1
0,33"SET PRINTER and Elect:"''TAB
33"[1] Pica 10 Cpi"''TAB 33"[2]
Elite 12 Cpi"''TAB 3;"[3] Micron
15 Cpi": PAUSE 0: LET ps=CODE INK
EY$-VAL "48": LET 1x=(VAL "80" AN
D ps=VAL "1i")+(VAL "96" AND ps=VA
L "2")+(VAL 120" AND ps=VAL "3")
: LET qq=1]x/VAL "2"; OUT VAL "127
“,VAL "27": GO SUB m: OUT VAL "12
7", (VAL "80" AND ps=1)+(VAL "77"
AND ps=2)+(VAL "103" AND ps=3): G
O SUB m: OUT VAL "127", VAL "27":
GO SUB m: OUT VAL "127".VAL "120"
: GO SUB m: OUT VAL "127",1: GOT
O VAL "1998"
1997 IF IN VAL “127"<>VAL
HEN GO TO VAL "1997"
1998 RETURN
"237" T
Amateur Programming Support
TS-2068, Sinclair QL and 288
Isn't that what we all are, “Amateur
Programmers”? I believe so. Some could be
proffessionals, but to be so would have to junk
out their Sinclair - Timex and do their
programming with an IBM or Macintosh. Those are
the only two computers that offer a wide market
for @ programmer to make a living. Fortunately,
we orphan computer users have always had the
services of Awateur programmers working to provide
new programs of up-grade modifications of older
ones. AND, that is what UPDATE MAGAZINE is all
about.
This reminds me of some past experience in
wanaging a fleet of aircraft. Often there would
be problems of frequent failure or un-reliability
of certain systems. The “school way” of dealing
witb such problems would be to give an order to
the next manager in the command line, "Fix the
Problem". But that approach hardly ever works.
The best approach is to call together a group of
mechanics who know the system and ask for their
participation to solve the problem. The point is
“group participation” is a powerful force for
almost any endeavor.
Most of us are hesitant to give advice about
subjects, But, like the lowly mechanic, we each
have ideas that can be useful to others. In fact,
I've learned more about programming from reading
inputs from other “amateur programmers”. Each has
his own exclusive innovations, To mention one,
Warren Fricke's occasional articles in Update
inspired me to do more with Math and Plotting.
(Warren recently passed away), Warren always
preceed his article with a comment, "--if you
publish this one I'll send another". His articles
were short, to the point, and useful.
Then there was Roelof Mulder who gave us an
excellent extension of the Oliger DOS. This was
the nucleus for Bob Hartung's "DOSDEX" series of
Disk Utilities (and issue disk). Then there are
Bob Mitchell and George Chambers who have produced
a whole library of LKDOS utilities and shared them
via the Toronto disk library, There are many
others who could be mentioned. Some just gave
ideas and others complete programs. !'1] wrap up
this philosophical set of epistles with a call for
everyone to PARTICIPATE. Tell us "your way" of
getting the most from your computer. Send your
articles, short or long, to Update Magazine. BJ_
15
(cont)
2 REM "READ DATA RESTORE"
5 LET x=97
8 REM : RESTORE 80
10 FOR n=65 TO 90
20 RESTORE 70
30 READ x
40 PRINT CHR$ n;" "5;CHR$ x
50 LET x=x+1: NEXT n
70 DATA x
80 DATA 97,98,99,100,101,102,10
3,104, 105,106, 107,108,109,110,111
9112,113,114,115,116,117,118,119,
120,121,122
90 STOP
Put some punch in your
bibl FACTORY a sesh
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Digitized Misc. Transportation
Computers
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Holidays
Xmas
Over 150 targe & smalt graphics
tn each collection!
Only $12.95 ppc. each or both collections
for $19.95 ppd. [Check or money order.)
Available on tape or 5 1/4 DSDD LARKEN
or OLIGER disk - please specify.
Send order to:
John McMichael, 1710 Paimer Dr.
Laramie,WY 82070
CUSTOMIZED 2-COLUMN
TASWORD PRINTOUTS
The following revisions to the list-
ing tor two-column printouts of Tasword
files will create a customized routine
to do up to 33 double-wide characters as
a centered page header followed by a 64-
character line for the author’s name and
address (line 9712). A CHR$ 136 graphic
character as the first character in
any line will cause that line to be in
double-wide font for sub-titles. Elite
(12 c.p.i.)? mode is assumed, with a left
margin pre-set at 7, and column-width to
40 Cline 9705). Header centering must be
adjusted in the Tasword file itself.
A blank line must be inserted in the
text file ahead of the first line that
prints out as the right-hand column.
This is not necessary if the heading is
printed first in reqular Tasword mode
and then the first line of text is
selected as the starting for
oint
printing from the routine. change lines
per page at line 9709 (+18 for 178" LF).
Lines 9700-1 and printer codes
lines 9704, 9712, 9730, 9745 assume Tom
Woods’ Profile printer driver has been
installed in a 12{-byte line 9999 REM
statement. If you are using an Oliger or
other printer driver, or if your printer
does not use Epson codes, revise these
lines accordingly, EG: LET / p=o: POQKE
23300, 60: POKE 23301,3: LPRINT CHR$ 27;
"Wi"; etc. Include the line 9700 LF
definition.
Omit lines 10-70 and GO TO line 9700
from main Tasword menu if merged with
abbreviated Tasword listing. Use key-
words in prompts wherever possible to
conserve memory. If at="c" upon exit
from Tasword menu then the printer-set
in lines 9702-4 will return to the menu,
so wilt any BREAK or error during print-
out.
in
-- Bob Hartung
26 CLEAR VAL "33866"
38 ON ERR RESET
48 INPUT “LOAD tasfile - #*“"Do LPRINT
-d “j;at
56 IF a$="*" THEN INPUT “File name: "3
aS: LOAD /asCODE
68 IF ag="d" THEN GO TO VAL *9766"
78 GO TO VAL *48"
9708 LET LF=VAL *
27+PEEK 23628%256-121": LET i=VAL
b/256)": LET j=VAL "b-i #256"
9701 CLS : POKE VAL "267@3",j: POKE VAL
"26764",i: LET o=NOT PI: LET I=SGN PI
9782 ON ERR RESET : LPRINT "f1B2";: INPU
T "ENTER skips printer-set ";d%: IF d="
" THEN GO TO VAL °9785"
LET b=VAL "PEEK 236
"INT ¢
9783 LET d$="": INPUT "Prtr CODE -1 TO S
TOP ";b: IF b<>-I THEN LET d$=d$+CHR® b:
PRINT bj" "3: GO TO VAL °9783"
9704 LPRINT d%;: INPUT "1/6 OR 1/8: "3LF
: LPRINT (*T1B@" AND LF=VAL "8")j: IF at
="c" THEN LPRINT : GO TO VAL "22"
9785 LET LM=VAL "7"; LET cols=VAL "46":
DIM d$(VAL "16")
9786 INPUT "ist LINE TO PRINT “sini: LET
Ini=Ini-I: LET tasfile=VAL *1n1%*64+3328
6": LET bel: LET ct=]
9789 ON ERR GO TO VAL "9886": LET pgline
s=VAL "SB"+VAL "18%(LF=8)"
971@ FOR N=tasfile TO VAL "52488"
aL "64"
9711 LET x=VAL "@+(PEEK N=136)": LET j@=
N+cols-I-VAL "19%x" PRINT AT INT PI,o;
9712 IF ct<INT PI AND NOT Int THEN LPRIN
T d$+("T@E" AND ct=1);: FOR J=Nt+I¥(ct=1)
TO N#¥VAL *334+30%¢(ct=I4+1)": LPRINT CHRS
PEEK J;: NEXT J: LET ct=ct+I: LPRINT : N
EXT N
9736 LPRINT d$¢ TO LM)+¢"F1BW1" AND x);
9735 FOR J=N TO j@
9748 IF PEEK j<VAL "128" THEN PRINT CHR¢
PEEK J;: LPRINT CHR$ PEEK Jj
9741 NEXT J
9743 LET cols2=Ntpglines#VAL "64"
9744 LET j6= colst+colsZ-VAL "28*(PEEK co
1s2=136)"
9745 LPRINT (*tiBW6" AND x)+*
AND PEEK cols2=VAL "136°);
9746 PRINT AT INT (PI#PI),0;
9747 FOR j=cols2 TO j@
9749 IF PEEK j<VAL "128° THEN PRINT CHRS
PEEK j;: LPRINT CHR PEEK j;
9758 NEXT j
9751 LPRINT
9755 INPUT “": PRINT #o;AT I+1,0;" BREAK
TG STOP LPRINT ";pglines;" LINE ‘j;ct
9762 IF ct=pglines THEN LET ct=f: LET N=
cols2+I1: GO TO VAL "9988"
9765 LET ct=ct+]
9778 NEXT N
9866 PRINT FLASH 1’* STOP LPRINT ": PAUS
E VAL "108": LPRINT : GO TO VAL "20"
9968 LET b=b+I: INPUT "Insert PAGE ";(b)
3b$
i
9928 GO TO VAL "9778"
9999 REM Create 12i-byte REM line to sto
re printer code here.
STEP V
"+O" BE"
16
Mr. Frank Davis
513 E. Main St.
Peru, IN 46970
Dear Frank,
Supplying all code corrections is not possible because of attrition,
nevertheless, I am enclosing some of what I can reconstruct at this time. Some
“corrections” are unique to my system, and do not apply (like my EXROM DOS).
While I was developing corrections, it became clear that I was doing salvage
work -- repairing sabotage in effect. I am sure you can see how obvious this
becomes once repairs have been started. Knowing what NOT to believe made figuring
out what to do easier.
I am only human. TI don't remember what I wound up with in my core memory. It
just grew. A brief summary is some help, along with data from my book. The
picture of EXROM code there (showing censorship), will help to explain what
happened to those routines maintaining OPEN # and structures supporting SELECT,
OPEN, & CLOSE in RAM.
The restored EXROM code is fairly simple except for SYTAX checking of passed
parameters. There is an image of the default table configuration to be copied
below SYSCON.
What I am sending you fixes almost all the damage in HOME ROM. I sent Bob
Orrfeldt my reconstruction of lower EXROM but lost my copy. It allowed RST calls
to replace more complex bank switching instructions in tape routines, saving lots
of memory space and eliminating the NMI conflict with LKDOS and others.
You will see that PASSING is restored to HOME bank where it belongs.
Corrections to initialization code in EXROM are pretty simple, though tricky
because of good camouflage and snow-job.
Corrections to memory remapping code consist mainly in removing dependence on
VIDMOD, redefining it as CONFIG. It is also necessary to account for nonstandard
UDG banks. The corresponding FIX table needs extensive updating and the DISPATCH
jump table needs the same.
The bank switching services image in EXROM is unusable as it stands. Adequate
changes are highly difficult to explain, so some clarification is in order.
The main difficulty with bank switching is to provide a common program access
site to all banks. TIMEX use of chunk 3 or 7 conditiionally is a clumsy, but
usable convention for simpler systems. This still leaves a problem when
transferring bytes from one bank to another. TIMEX uses the stack repeatedly to do
this, but using a block of RAM in I/O
space is much safer and more efficient. It is also a better place to store the
image of bank switching code.
More attention to I/0 space leads to a configuration which includes these
features, and at the same time makes PC compatibilty possible for clone cards.
Obviously, these are my designs which don't carry much weight. In spite of
this, there are some bank switching code corrections to account for sabotage which
should precede any consideration of changes. 1 have some of this not previously
published, and will send it along soon.
Except for barrier corrections, all low level code revisions are to
WRITE_BS_REG and READ_BS_REG. This is the only code which directly interfaces to
the bank switching controller. The TIMEX version never existed in workable form,
so I invented and recommend, my CCOT system in one of its three levels.
Level 1 adds memory beyond 64K contiguously.
17
Level 1 adds memory beyond 64K contiguously.
Level 2 adds memory beyond 64K in any configuration mappable in RAM.
Level 3 conforms to auto-configuration as provided in EXROM for TIMEX style
devices.
Respectfully yours,
William J. Pedersen
1120 merrifield S.R.
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
MODEL 2: 8 out of 64 "handles" can be assigned. Each
handle accesses a pointer stored in RAM. 64 pointers are
available, though only eight are current at any tine.
There is enough room in RAM, and enough handles to
contain and select multiple memory naps for multitasking,
and multiuser netuork operation. This arrangement covers
memory sizes up to 2M, but is obviously easily expanded.
A pointer accesses an 8K segment on 8K boundaries.
In effect, CHUNKS are being manipulated instead of
MODEL 1; Each BANK is 64k on 64k boundaries, fA total of
256 BANKS can be defined. Each of 8 CHUNKS can be filled
from any of these banks in any order. All 16 TS2068
address bits are required to specify a location within a
selected BANK. The planned TS2068 wethod distributed the
ouner registers to each expansion bank, making multiple
ownership a problem solved by programming convention.
There are concentual problems with this method. but to
nost users, it is convenient to associate a DEVICE with a
BANK, DEVICES cannot be reassigned to other CHUNKS.
BANKS .
CURRENT (COT) |
| CHUNK +-—— 22 ae
| OWNER t CURRENT (COT) |__/eas8 Ram [2 '
TABLE CHUNK — 8
8 Bbit Registers OWNER K— 1
15 —— TABLE + 16
4 15
13 ——] 8 bbit Resisters re
LT ———s 8
nonce
| i i |
oe noua
B
a
Representative Memory Map
Representative Memory Map
18
TS2068 BARRIERS & FIXES
INTERRUPTS & RST CALLS: : .
These events have default entry points in the code which can vary dependeng on the current @ode of interrupts. Except
under unusual conditions, it can be assumed that only odes Land 2 will de used for interrupts, This means that addresses 0,
8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 56 and 102 aust be managed in every bank. Soge banks will not use some of the RST calls, nevertheiess, it is
wise to account for future use of these addresses. Current EXROM is very deficient in this respect.
NMI BARRIERS
s defective ROX code. It forces reinitialization (crash) unless a non-zero value is given to (NMIADD), in which case
NMI will be ignored. In neither case is this the intended use.
102 NMI FS PUSH AF
103 39 PUSH Hi eka :
mM gng0se a BL NH) 23728 NMIADD Get NMI handiing routine address
108 85 ORL 1 if address = 0000h
109 2001 IR NZ ,+3 M2 Skip if address () 0000h
qh &9 J? (HL) Jump to 0000h, (Reinitialize)
112 El POP HL Here for address () 0000h (Ignore)
M13 Fi POP AF
14 ED4S REIN Return from NMI
102) NM FS PUSH AF
103 ES PUSH HL :
104 2AB05C «LO HLA(NN) © 23728 NMTADD Get NMI handling routine address
107 7 Dat :
108 BS ORL 1 if address = 0000h |
109 2801 JR 1,43 M12 Ignore if no NMI routine. (0000h
lil €9 JP (HL) Juap pe Toutine. (AF HL on STACK
112 €1 POP HL Here for no routine,
13 Fi POP AF
14 EDAS REIN Return from NMI
Below is the intended BS_NMI code in RAM. The actual code to be corrected lies in EXROM frog where it is copied during
initialization. This copy in CHUNKS3 is not directly accessed by an NMI signal niin it necessary i include a juap to 25351
4102 in every back which shadows CHUNKBO, or have a complete copy there, Current EXROM does not include this provision. Tape
. Toutines start @ 104, which is ONE byte too low to allow three bytes for an NMI jump instruction, There is a way around this,
uging a relative jump to a long jusp at a free location, An NMI processing routine must be accessible at all times, regardless
of bank switching. A mandatory protocol must be followed.
25351 BS_NMT FS PUSH AF
25352 5 PUSH HL. .
25353 2ag0s¢ = LO HL,(NN) 23728 NMIADD Get NI handling routine address
25356 7c LD AH 7
25357 85 ORL T if address = 0000h _
25358 2801 SR 1,33 25261 Ignore if no NMI routine. (0000h
25360 59 JP CHL} Jump to routine. (AF,HL on STACK
25361 €1 POP HL Here for no routine.
25362 FL POP AF
25363 ED45 RETN Return from NMI
MINOR ERROR...Wrong ERROR message.
1472 3E16 LD ALS 22 No 4 Value should be 21
1474 90 $UB 8 Row + Eventually gives ‘Out of Screen" for row 22, but
1475 BAD_INT2 DA291F JP CNN 7977 BAD_INTEGER2 x doesn’t catch it here. Wrong error message.
1478 3 INC A 23 to 1 4 Passes A = 22 to 0
1479 47 LO BAA a
1480 04 INC 8 24 to 2, standard format (2 is incorrect)
Corrected code
1472 3E15 (0 AN at
1474 90 SUB B Row
1475 BAD_INT2 OA2918 «= IPC NN 7977 BAD_INTEGER2 + Passes A = 21 to 0
1478 C603 ADD AWN 3 24 to 3
1480 47 U0 B,A 24 to 3, standard format
MAJOR ERROR!
Clobbers
1716 WR_S_P 79 33 to 2 Here for special graphics
1717 30 32 to 1, NZ NC
1718 3E2i 33 w-\ geeeeee MAJOR ERRORS! )! sateeeat
1720 2008 1736. Space left in row --/ 4 Wrong order & Jump iocation! +
1722 95 08 Need new rox ! This error causes TVFUL? to be called
ie Fegoise BIN S"(cvet!) 246ut FLAGS:PR utout to printer? | suretn‘pystings, Ie is sche EN bad
€ BIT t,{1¥#1} LAGS: utput to printer? | screen postings, It is especially ba
1728 2806 SR 1,38 1736. No : for the Tower screen because an eit iine
19
192068 BARRIERS & FIXES
1730 05 USH OE Here for printer | must be re-evaluated whenever the cursor
1731 CD230A = CALL_ NN 2595 DUMPPR Output to 782040! Roves, characters are agded, or OELETE Is
1734 Ot POP DE ! being “executed. These ‘errors’ seen too
1735 79 LD A,C Cie Are 33 ! obvious to be accidental.
1736... 89 cP ¢ 1 is forced
1737 DS PUSH DE
1738 €C9007 CALL Z,NN 1936 TVFUL? Ask the boss
174) 4 POF DE
¢. the resulting
Corrected code. The call to TVFUL? now occurs only after the last character on a screen n Line, as it shoe
code is six bytes shorter,
33 to2
32 t tol 0 ap pest right margit
Wa. Roon leit for chet
CALL NZ, Nhe 2595 — DUNPPE.
CALL_NW 1936 0 TVFUL?
Get BANKE —- FEXERROR HERE, WRONG ADDRESS¥as
LO 4,(HL}
ib UMN A
(Should be 1.)
ebd0eS
09964
£09964
£09964
9964
09964
£09964
£09964 ; E
02267 26402 {NEEDS WORK }
09964 25753 BANK TENABLE
CD9964 25753 BANK ENABLE
09964 25753 BANK ENABLE
C9964 25753 BANK ENABLE
C9964 25753 BANK “ENABLE
C9964 25753 BANK_ENABLE
(09964 25753 BANKTENABLE
CD9964 25753 BANK _ENABLE
02267 26402 XFERTBYTES :
009964 25753 BANK ENABLE
009966 25753 BANK ENABLE
For: CbDO6S = CALL NN 26064 CALL_BANK
Use: (05625 CALL NK 9558 CALL_B
CALL NK
£09964
752068 BARRIERS & FIXES
CLOSE SEARCH Poste CIN RAM @ ORG1)
Aig Test arget
48 1K 4 oocL1 OPTIONAL }
23° DDCL1 | OPTIONAL
23 ae OPTIONAL {
EQ)
POP HL (op TONAL H
(OPTIONAL }
OPEN SEARCH TABLE (IN RAM @ ORG2)
Addr Test | rte Target
0 48 °K’ 17 OEV_K
450 ‘PY oF 1 DEV
6 ae ae)
8 2 39 3
10 434
12 e475
14 B 5b
16 7 67
18 3 O59
20 nS
22 00 E07
23 0EV_K 1601 LOE, t
25 1806 = JR #42 $7
27 OVS 1606 = LD E,N 6
29 1802 «JR #38 $7
i} DEV P {E10 LO EN 16
3 JR 434 67
35 DEV2 feta LD EN a
37 IR #30 $7
39 0eV3 110 LEN 26
1 JR +26 87
43 0EV4 1610 LO E,N it
45 Jk +32 87
47 DEVS 110 LD EN 36
49 IR +18 87
51 DEV 6 110 LD E,N uh
33 IR #14 87
55 eV] 110, LOE, uj
57 JR +o a
59 OEV9 1E10 LO E,N $1
61 JR +6 0?
63. DEVS 110 LD EN 36
67 JR +2
68 78 LO 8,8
69 BL ORC
70 27014 JP NZ,NN 5232 BAD FILNAM
23 57 LD DAA Resfore ash. (= 0)
4 f1 POP AL
75 9 RET
24
CHANS Revised
[SERVICE CODE i SYNTAX: CLOSE # N,‘x"<END)
$023 CLOSE cooei4 = CALL AN $128
5026 78 LD A,B
$027 BL ORC
5028 C8 RET 7
$029 COBEI3 = CALLAN 505¢
5032 RSTSTR 010000 = LD BC,NN 0
5035 L1E2A3 LO DENN 41954
5038 EB EX DE,HL
5039 19 AOD HL,DE
5040 3807 R649 5049
5042 O1CFLT LO BC NN 4559
5045 09 AD HL BC
5046 4E LDC (HLS
$047 23 TRC HL
5048 4 Lb 8,(HL)
$049 CHO £8 EX DE HL
5050 7 Lb (HL),
$051 23 INC HL
5052 70 LO (HL),B
$053 C9 T
{SERVICE CODE 45]
$054 “CLCHAN £5 PUSH HL
5056 78 U0 A,B
6 FEBO CPN 128
5058 3018 IR ONC, 426 5084
3060 2A4F5C LD _HL,(NN) 23631
5063 09 DD HL,BC
5064 23 INC HL
$065 23 INC HL
5066 23 INC AL
$067 aE Lo ¢,(HL)
5068 eB EX DEAL
5069 2ixkxx LD HL NN ceee es
$072 CO6823 = CALL NN 497)
5075 3802 JRC, +4 5079
5077 i POP HL
5078 9 RET ; :
Note thet an empty CLOSE table will not cause @ crash.
CH_t 4 LOC (HL
0609 UD BN
09 ADD HL BC
eg J (HL)
CL_St 0680 SUB_N 128
6 47 LD BA
2ABCSC LDL, (NN) 23740
08 ADD HL BC
7E LD A, (HL)
FEOO CPR 0
C8 RET 7
FEBO CPN 128
8 RET Z
23 INC HL
46 U0 B, (HL)
23 INC HL
23 INC HL
23 INC HL
23 INC HL
SE U0 £,(HL)
23 HL
56 iD D,( HL)
62 1D
68 LE
3ACESC «LD A, (NN) 23755
SF iA
1600 LD ON 0
0S PUSH DE
is) PUSH HL
C$ PUSH BC
010200 = «LD BC, KN
cS PUSH BC
010000 = «LD BC, KN 0
37624 iP NN 9336
OFFSET
CLCHAK
Ct SC
CHANS:
SYSCON
STRANM
TWX
TOURING
8C = Offsettl for CHANS, Offset+32768 for SYSCON
0 if CLOSED
Channel] already CLOSED. No error.
channel OPEN, Needs action.
Releases STRMNO, or restores default channel .
STRME d-
Here if See 6-3. SHINIT
BC = Defavit ve
Here if STRME 4
default
Post reset value, 0, oF
here if channel OPEN
Test FLAG
EXPANSION BANKS
Here for LOCAL CHANNELS
Device char found
No CLOSE routine for device. (System error ignored)
Devices requiring ODCLs must appear.
Get FAN byte
=) tevice Dependent CLOSE routine for device
dol
Strip FLAG, Here for EXPANSION CHANNELS
~)St{n,0)
Get status
If inactive
€0T 7
Parity
ee 1 ey DEVICE CHAR
)8C in OPEN Routine Isb
set ny4 a)
~)$C(n,5) CLOSE Routine isb
-)$¢(n,6) asb
HL -) CLOSE Routine
PARM = 0, STRME
ate ='CLOSE Routine
Banke
PARHS Passed
22
TOURING
5128 OFFSET COLELF = CALL WA 7966 FIX Vi This routine gets FLAG, OFFSET from the STRMS TABLE.
9131 320B5C LD (NN) A 23755 STRANM
5138 FELO CPN 1
5137 3802 aR 24 S141 CH 2
5139 BAD_STRN2 = CF RST & 8 ERROR
5140 17 oc invalid stream
$141 CH2 C603 ADO ALN 3. 73 to #15 -) 0 to 18
5143 07 RLCA Ties 2
5144 21105C LD HL,NN 23868 STRMS
5147 4F LD C,A
5148 0600 0 BN 0 :
$150 09 ADD HL BC ~) channel select data lsb
5151 4E LO C,(HL)
5152 23 INC HL -) channel select data sb
5153 46 LO 8,(HL) 8C = channel select data
Ata 2 Hay HL ~) channel select data isb
[SERVICE CODE 46] SYNTAX: PEN WN," * [,PARALIST] (END)
$156 OPEN baie ep 4a, .
5158 aR i, 7 5165 CH3 PARM LIST implied by comma
5160 totes CALLAN 6980 END?
5163 1808 SR +13 $176 CH_4 No PARM LIST
$165 CH3 08928 CALL_ NN 10377 INTPT? Here if PARM LIST
5168 2006 ok NZ, 78 $176 CH 4
$170 Cbe925 CALL ON 9577 SKTPIT Ignore SYNTAX of LIST
5173 COi4ib = CALL NN 6980 END?
$176 CH4 Ff RST 40 40 CALCTR
5177 1 EXCH:
5178 38 QUIT: i
5179 CD0814 = CALL UMN 5128 OFFSET Channel select data in BC
5182 78 LD A,
5183 81 a
5184 2816 JR 1,424 5208 CHS Not OPEN. OK to proceed
5186 FE8O CPN 128 Is already OPEN, Needs checking.
5188 38D JR NC, 49 5139 BAD _STRN2 Expansion bank
5190 2A4FSC LD OHL,CNN] 23631 CHARS Here for LOCAL channels.
$193 09 ADD BC
5194 23
5195 23
5196 23 N
5197 7E 0 aCe.) Get Current CHANS DEVICE CHAR
5198 EB EX DE HL
5199 FEA N K
5201 2808 JR 7,410 1 CHS
5203 FES3 83:9:
5205 2804 JR 1,46 1 CHS
$207 FESO cP 80:P:
5209 2068 JR NZ,-70 5139 BAD_STRN2 Must close open local channels first unless K,5,P.
$211 CHS CO6814 = CALL AN $218 OPCHAN —-«K, $, & P can be overruled locally
5214 73 Ld (HL),
$215 23 TC
5216 72 LD (HL),D
$21? C9 RET
{SERVICE CODE 47)
5218 OPCHAN €5 PUSH HL
5219 CDAF2F = CALL_NN 12207 POPSTR Get DEVICE CHAR, LEN
$222 8 DEC
5223 78 LD A,B he
$224 Bt ORC 0 if single char
5225 2802 JR 1,4 $229 CH
$227 BAD_I/O_DEV CF RST & 8 ERROR
5228 12 DC Invalid 1/0 device
$229 CH_6 O
5230 eS
$231 1A
5232 EGF 223th LOULd Force to caps
5234 4F 0 CA
5235, 2ixxcx LD HL NN OOK lt FAN (In RAK}
5238 C068L CALL NN 4971
$241 3006 i NC 38 $249 BpENSt Not LOCAL, try SYSCON
$243 4E Here if LOCAL CHANNEL
5244 9600 9
5246 09
5247 C}
5248 £9
25
TOURING
OPENSC CALL NK 4980 SRCHSC Is it here?
$312 INSTALL. No. Consult EXROK,
Found it.
0 if not OPEN
$230 BAD_I/0_DEV
Sead PASSING —- PARK LIST to stack.
) $C(n,1) Get BANKE
DEVICE CHAR/RAM MASK
OPE® Routine isb
est
SACESC 23755 STRUNY
SF
1600
iy PARK = 0, STRME
Target = OPEN Routine
BANKE, KS.
Get PARM LIST byte count
23653 STKEND Adjust CALC stack
23683 STKEND
ic 2 {or BAKKE
ARM Passed
DARM Ret'd
1§58
128 Restore flag to DE
INSTALL EB EX DE HL
cOA225 = CALL_NN 9634 PASSING == PARM LIST to stack,
EB EX DE HL
2ixxxx LD HL, NN xxx XOPEN (EXRON)
OLFEFE LD BC,NN 65278 EXROM, CHUNK 0 :
1802 IR 44 $276 Jump to EXROM OPEN routines
$343 21 Bytes FREE
OPEN SYNTAX is checked as needed, Operations depend on previous actions. Default tables nay have been expendec to
include new devices, any e1isting | device which is currently CLOSED can be OPENED, An gristing LOCAL device must meet at least
the same data requirements as K ® -- that is: OUTPUT routine addr, INPUT routine addr, DEVICE CHAR. It may also include
rapping data aad floppy buffer(s),
OPEN statements with PARMLISTS provide or odify this information. Actually, al] OPEN statements pass the STREAMNM to
the service routine, thoush not part of the SYNTA) ; i"
OPEN statements without PARMLISTS which ee the strean already OPEN require special attention. If the stream device _
character aatches that requested, nothing happens and no error need be reported, if they do not match, only the default devices
K,$, & Pare pprnicted to be overwritten.
To install a new device requires processing a PARMLIST. An OPEN statement of this type is hendheg by routines in EXROM.
To modify an expansion bank device is dependent on the device itself, Information is supplied (often incomplete) and the
bank OPEN routine must handle SYNTAX
It_ is suggested that popey dives be given device characters which are integers; 1, 2, 3. etc. This corresponds to CHANS
inforration blocks larger than the standard five aytes. Following this with the excess block size allows CHANS to be parse and
displayed if wantel
No new features _have been added. The CLOSE & OPEN tables have been relocatred to RAM, where they can oe edited and
expanded as needed. Initial values are copied from EXROM the same as OISPATCK. They are locatec just under S¥S
Replacing censored OPEN routines in EXROM can be expanded on
FORMAT, MOVE, § ERASE as originally intended. Existing 00S v
the original pian, using 1BM compatible disk organization, is
CABLE COLUMN
By Bill Cable
ARCHIVE SERIES
PART 4: CREATE, OPEN. INSERT COMMANDS
We continue our exploration of PSION’s ARCHIVE
Database System. This is an open ended series with each
column focusing on some aspect of ARCHIVE. I hope it
helps aspiring achivists get over those inevitable stumbling
blocks. Knowledge gained will be a springboard for using
any database on any computer. Have past Cable Columns
and your QL Manual handy for quick reference. In the last
issue we covered the QUIT, LOOK, CLOSE, DISPLAY,
FIRST, LAST, NEXT, BACK commands in some detail and
used them on the GAZET_DBF database provided with
ARCHIVE. In this issue we want to discuss the CREATE
command which allows you create your own databases and
the OPEN and INSERT commands which are used to add
new information to a database. As an example we will
create a library index database for keeping track of books,
First I want to quickly rehash what an ARCHIVE database
is, Each database is like a set of file cards that are called
records. Each card/record has the same layout for holding
the information to be kept in the database. Specific kinds
of information are put in specific locations in the record.
These are called the fields of the record. ARCHIVE
provides us with powerful record/field oriented commands
and a flexible language for constructing more. The time
and effort saved using these commands justifies the work
necessary to learn how to use ARCHIVE and put data in
this structured form. Don’t be intimidated, the concepts
used in database work are based on common sense. You
only need to become familiar with them.
PREPARING TO CREATE A DATABASE
When we create a database with ARCHIVE it is equivalent
to giving the information necessary to create a box of
labeled index cards with the various locations on the cards
set up for the particular kinds of information we want to
keep. We have to provide the following information:
1. What will we call our database (database name).
ARCHIVE database names can be up to 8 characters long,
Starting with a-z,A-Z then can include 0-9. A default 3
character extension of ‘dbf will be given if you don't
specify another. ARCHIVE does not make the database
name part of the database so you can use the SUPERBASIC
RENAME command to change a database name.
2. How many distinct kinds of information do we
want in cach record (how many fields). 1 can’t find
documentation giving the maximum number of fields
ARCHIVE allows. I know it’s more than 140. Probably the
maximum is 255. Most databases I work with have 20-40
fields. Whether to give a certain kind of information its
25
own field rather than combine it in a more general purpose
field depends partly on whether you will ever want to
order or do quick lookups of that information (ORDER
and LOCATE commands).
3. What do we want to call each field (field names).
Field names must start with a-z,A-Z then can also include
0-9 and _. The maximum length is 13 characters. Usually it
is best to choose a descriptive name corresponding to what
type of information the field will hold.
4. What is the type for each field (field type). In
ARCHIVE this means text type or numeric type. If the
field name ends in "$’ then it is a text field otherwise it is a
floating point numeric field. A text field can hold up to
255 characters of information and numeric fields hold
numbers of 14 digit accuracy.
5. In what order do we want the ficlds in the record
(field number). The order is the same as the order they are
defined when creating the database. It affects the order
fields are prompted for when using the ALTER and
INSERT commands.
This is the information we have to supply when we execute
the CREATE command. Once we create our database we
cannot change any of these field properties (database name
can change). It's like we printed our card forms and we
have to stick with them. What actually happens is that
ARCHIVE creates a database file conforming to the field
specifications we give. It is empty until we add some
information but the field structure has been permanently
defined, Forgetting to put in fields that we later want is
one of the most common problems encountered with
databases. Fortunately, there are ways around this problem.
They involve creating a new database with the new field
structure and copying the old database information to the
new database. Still, it is best to give some thought to what
fields will be needed. One nice feature of ARCHIVE is that
you don't waste much disk space if you don’t put
information in fields. This means you don’t pay a high
price for having lots of fields. With most database systems
when you create a database you also have to specify a
maximum length for each text field and each record has to
reserve that maximum length for each field. ARCHIVE
gives each text field the option to be 0 to 255 characters
long and only reserves the space used.
Each field should correspond to some important general
class of information pertaining to the subject area covered
by the database. A library index database would need to
have a field for book title. By having that information in
its own field you can order by it, select on it, and do fast
lookups of it. Author's name would be another piece of
information you would want to put in its own field. Name
is a complicated piece of information because it is actually
made up of a last name and a first name. A large database
might have many name duplications and you have to have a
way to deal with such problems. Sometimes you have to
have fields for a general group of items and more than one
item might be entered at the same time. We could have a
field for main topics of a book. If a book covered more
than one topic you could enter each and separate them by
commas. With ARCHIVE you could still select particular
topics. You would not be able to sensibly order by the topic
field because it could contains multiple entries. Also you
must always be careful to be consistent in how you spell
and abreviate your entries if you ever want to select, order,
or search them.
Let's see what we need to create our library index database.
We need a name for our database plus the following fields
would be useful:
1. Book title
2. Book author (last name.first)
3. Book publisher
4. Book isbn number (international book code)
5. Type of book(like novel,poetry.computing,etc)
6. Main topics of book
7, Comments about book
8. Year of book publication
9. Pages in book
So we will have these 9 fields in our library index database.
1 will use the following names for field names : title$.
author$, publisher$, isbn$, type$, topics$, comment$, year,
pages. Note that all are text type (end in $) except year and
pages which are numeric type. Lets call our database
*mybooks’. What you should type will be underlined.
CREATE COMMAND
Start ARCHIVE. The last Cable Column gives details. You
have ARCHIVE in its user friendly mode with the Help
boxes at the top of the screen and the ARCHIVE cursor '>"
at the bottom of the screen. Put a formatted microdrive in
mdv2_ or pigeon desired device. Type the following:
(activate command)
m-mvbnlecNTE (database location & name)
(first field definition)
(second field)
(ninth field)
(end create command)
We have now created our database. It is in the file
‘mdv2_mybooks_dbf’ and that file is currently in the
OPEN state. We could insert information right now but
let's close it and reopen it below. It will have the field
structure we just defined but will have no records.
close<ENTER>
OPEN COMMAND
In order to add new records to a database we have to access
it using the OPEN command. As mentioned previously it is
extremely important to make sure you use the CLOSE and
QUIT commands if you have opened a database. Let's open
our newly created database so we can use the INSERT
command to add new information. After we open it we will
use the DISPLAY command so we can see its fields. Type:
open<ENTER>
mdv2_mybooks<ENTER>
INSERT COMMAND
We use this command to add new records to our database.
First we need to have it opened. When we are inserting
records the <ENTER>,<TAB>, and <SHIFT-TAB> move to
the different fields and the <F5> enters record as displayed
and <F4> exits from entering. It is important to become
comfortable with these particular key combinations because
they are the ones used in both inserting and altering
tecords in ARCHIVE. Also the arrow keys and <CTRL>
arrows are used in editing the text in fields. Let's insert a
book:
QL. programming.superbasic<ENTER>
best book on superbasiccENTER>
1985<ENTER>
257<F5> (or 257<ENTER>)
<F4>
Now we could continue to enter more but we will stop and
you can carry on by yourself.
Next issue we will cover ALTER, DELETE and more.
Until then HAPPY ARCHIVING
A $99.00 SPECIAL FOR THOSE WHO WORK WITH BOTH QLs AND PCs
PSION’s PC-FOUR : QUILL, ABACUS, EASEL, ARCHIVE for the PC with manual and tutor disk
Plus both the QL and PC versions of my DBEasy program included free on 5.25" or 3.5"
DBEasy is my ARCHIVE front-end program for painless database work
Order from : Wood and Wind Computing. RR3 Box 92, Cornish. NH 03745 603-675-2218
MECHANICAL AFFINITY CATALOG
The following are now available from Mechanical Affinity for
your Sinclair home or business computer. All items listed are
available in quantity. Orders may be placed by check or money
order to either Paul Holmgren,5231 Wilton Wood Ct., Indianapolis
In, 46254 317-291-6002 , ....or to Frank Davis, S13 East
Main St., Peru, In 46970 317-473-8031. Do not make the check
out to Mechanical Affinity. All Prices include Postage already!
BOOKS
SYNCWARE NEWS Vol. 1 $8 All volume 1 issues bound in one book
TOURING THE TS2068 ROM OPERATING SYSTEM by WIDJUP $15
QL TECHNICAL GUIDE $15
SERVICES and PARTS
QL Internal ROM board- this allows you to put your favorite
ROM version (JM, JS, JSU, MGUS, MGUK, etc.) on an_ eprom.
This will lower power consumption by the QL by about 20%
& drop the internal heat by close to 50 degrees fahrenheit.
There is also room on the eprom for us to include one of
the following programs if you are an owner of one of them:
ICE, QFLASH, TKII, SPEED SCREEN, TKIII. Brd & eprom $40 --
Board alone $15 -- Custom eprom alone $25. Let us know
which ROM version you want us to supply, or you can supply.
Speedscreen supplied on your ROM or for ROMport $25. For ROMport
you need to have CARE eprom brd or similar plug in brd.
Internal battery backed clock for QL, uses lithium battery, so
should be good for far longer than ordinary batteries. This
Plugs in where the 8032 goes, and the 8032 is then
installed in it. $20 for brd & battery, or $26 installed.
Replacement or backup power supply for the QL, no serious user
should be without one (personal opinion). $15
QL case, contains keys and bare motherboard, no microdrives. Can
be used to replace bad case, keytops, or bad motherboard,
or even as a start on building your own’ spare QL. $20
Keytops for QL $7.50 Use to replace broken or missing keys, or
the whole set, if need, be. These are originals.
Micro Drive Cartridges $5 each, till supply improves for ones
with the tab. $4.00 without the tab, each.
MDV labels, 3 sheets for $1.25. For the QL.
QL membranes, from Paul for $15.
TS2068 dock eprom boards, bare $10.00. These can be used for a
TS2068 program on an eprom or can be configured to use for
Non-Volatile memory boards (32K to 128K), or as RAM Disk.
Tom Bent’s improved 8K TS1000 ROM on eprom. $10.00 Requires at
least 16K RAM expansion to operate, but bug corrected. $12 if we
supply the special socket.
Disk Drives, half height 3 1/2 and 5 1/4. Order from Paul at $55
@ for 3 1/2 or 5 1/4, or $165 for dual 3 1/2’s w/ case & power.
Spectrum B ROMs, on eprom,bug corrected w/ additional characters
set on the eprom for $10.
We can supply for those who are owners of the tape programs the
following programs on eprom: ZXLR8& for the TS1000, PROFILE for
TS2068, MSCRIPT, HOT-Z AROS for TS2068, MTERM II for the TS2068
and DELPHI UTILITIES for the TS1000. $10 for the eprom.
HOW TO DO
Bob Hartung, 2416 N. County L
While the TOOLKIT I] (TK2) manual is not
exactly a shining example of casual
reading material, it does give spring-
boards for ideas on using this powerful
extension to QL SuperBasic commands. If
you have not already done so, put the
scotia-sized manual through an enlarging
copier. It's amazing how much clearer
things become when you can read them!
Within the limitations described in
section 6.1 of the TK2 manual, the DO
function can be used as a_ powerful
user-defined programming extension. The
DO file is simply a sequence of com-
mands or a routine that is stored on
mdv, disk, or RAMdisk media without
numbered program lines. If it is stored
in the default drive, by just keying in
<DO filename> the command-sequence or
routine is activated or "RUN". It does
not alter any listed program that is
already in memory.
With TK2 activated, for direct KBD entry
of a DO file to a disk in drive 1, the
following method may be used for short
command-sequences:
OPEN_NEW #5,f1p1_filename
PRINT #5,'INPUT “Enter test text ";a$:PR
INT a$'
CLOSE #5
Note that the entire PRINT statement
must be bracketed by either quotes or
apostrophes and as in ALTKEY definition,
if any bracketing within the statement
uses quotes, then outer apostrophes must
be used, or vice versa. Note, too, that
a simple FOR loop may be used within a
one line multi-statement but not the END
FOR type or a REPeat loop. Also, if a DO
routine is halted during processing, a
NEW may be required before resuming.
Obviously, for longer command-sequences
or routines direct entry from the KBD is
not practical. Any line-editor such as
THE EDITOR or my INFOwriter that does
not insert extra control characters may
be used to form and store the DO file.
DO IN TK2
ine Rd. E., Huntertown, IN 46748
Listing 2 is a routine that may be used
to create the required ASCII files. With
this, one might do several sets of
ALTKEY definitions, for example, that
would emulate on the QL the single-
stroke keyword entry system or the VAL
command many of us wish Uncle Clive had
retained. Following the ALTKEY defini-
tion in listing 1 is a useful printer-
command routine that shows the use of a
simple FOR loop in a DO line:
LISTING 1
ALTKEY 'p', ‘PRINT #0;"'
command-codes one at a t
-1 (-1 to exit)"
PRINT #0; “Enter
ime"\"EG: 27 52
FOR n=1 TO 1000:INPUT #0;cc;" ";:1F cc=-
1 THEN PRINT #0;"END":n=1001:ELSE OPEN #
7,ser1:PRINT #7,CHR$(cc);:CLOSE #7
LISTING 2
198
118
nes
128
138
TK2_EXT
FLP_USE flp: REMark Omit & change 1i
16@ & 339 for mdv.
CLS: CLS #8
REMark DO file output routine
149 INPUT "DO file title: ";filetitle$
158 INPUT "Save ";(filetitle$);" to driv
e #"sdr$
166 filetitle$="flp" & dr$ & "_" & filet
itle$
17@ INPUT “Max. no. command-lines: ";cml
18 DIM com$(cml , 136)
196 PRINT "Enter line (limit 136 chrs.)"
\"@ to end input & save"\\
202 FOR n = ® TO cml
218 INPUT (n+1);" ";com$(n)
220 IF com$(n,1)="@" THEN LET cnt=n-1:
0 TO 249
23@ END FOR n
246 OPEN_NEW #5,filetitle$
25@ FOR n=@ TO cnt
268 PRINT #5,com$(n)
278 END FOR n
288 CLOSE
296 CLS
390 INPUT "Repeat y/n? ";y$
318 IF y$=="y" THEN GO TO 120
326 STOP
336 SAVE flp1_DOfile_DEF
G
28
Looking For
TIMER
Computer
Products?
If so, look no further!
We have the LARGEST stock of h/w &
s/w for the T/S line of computers
ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!
For a catalog and price list call or write:
RING ENTERPRISES
1419 1/2 7TH STREET
OREGON CITY, OR 97045
503/655-7484 NOON-10PM PT T-S
FRX: 503/655-4116
VISA/MC/CK/MO - $3.50 (REFUNDABLE)
(STATE COMPUTER MODEL FOR PRICE LIST)
Available as UPDATE Issue Disk, see QL ISSUE DISKS
QLUSTer / QL_Utilities
by Al Feng
QLUSTer is a utility program which has been designed to provide
easier file management than found in other front-end utility
programs. QLUSTer works well within the QRAM environment and may
be may be satisfactorily run as a TASK within TASKMASTER (some
limitations). QLUSTer is TURBO-compiled and MINERVA compatible
QLUSTer was designed to provide fast, selective file management
To that end, any valid source or destination medium may be readily
accessed or designated. Up to eight screen pages of 76 files each
(4 columns x 19 rows) are accessible.
The five, primary functions are “COPY” (source to destination),
*de-FILE“ (DELETE file), “Hard-COPY” (the "missing" LLIST command),
“re-FORMAT” (FORMAT a medium), and “pre-VIEW (convenient for
confirming the contents of a file prior to COPYing, de-FILing, or
hard-COPYing). The implementation of a utility on a file usually
involves simply pressing the {bracketed) key which precedes a
particular filename. In addition, a convenient clock setting
routine using the “up” and “down cursor keys (and of course,
“ENTER™) is included.
QLUSTer also implements five SuperTOOLKIT keywords C(WCOPY, WDELete,
SPooL, RENAME, WSTATus]. QLUSTer requires SuperTOOLKIT coding
installed via a TK2_EXT ‘FLP_EXT, okay) call, external ROM, or RAM
code, prior to LOADing.
A SAMPLE RUN- THROUGH
After LOADing, a "white screen” with the version number and other
miscellaneous information will flash by. You will then see another
"white screen” with a bar similar to what is illustrated (below).
“CHANGE DEVICE” will be highlighted, and a message prompting you to
press the “Space Bar” will be near the bottom of the screen.
You can navigate to almost any function within the program from
this screen by “TABbing” along the command bar to the appropriate
function name, and then pressing the “Space Bar”. A “shift TAB”
key combination will move the highlighted bar to the left.
When first LOADed, the programs default medium is a null “xxx”.
This must be "changed" to a valid storage medium. Pressing the
“Space Bar” will open the “CHANGE_DEVICE~ window.
30
After pressing an appropriate letter (e.g., “f°/°F~ for “flpi_“>,
the highlighted bar will move to “AUTO EXEC”.
Now, pressing the “Space Bar” will reveal a screen similar to the
following illustration ‘of course, the filenames on the screen will
correspond to the disk you currently have in the selected drive).
: (F1] COPY (F2] de-FILE (F3] Hard-COPY (F4] re-FORMat [F5] pre-VIEW
raml_ flpe_
! €ese) EXIT Tue. Mar 21, 1989 09:55:21 PN page 1 O+ files |:
: EXEC_V flp1_diskname 491.5 Kilobytes 290/1440 sectors !
141) quill {2) archive 13} abacus {4} easel t
i {5} backup {6) convert {7} disced (8) filed H
'{9) editor {:} Parser_Task {;} CodeGen_Task {<) FILE, DIRectory!
i{=) quil_HOB <>) arCHV_HOB {?} qles_HOB {@) graf_HOB !
i (A) boot {B) printer_dat {C} Gprint_prt {D) DRIVER _DAT i
!{E) zip code {F} turbo _code {G) ram_code {H) QLUSTer Hy
itt) tJ) 4K} {L) :
{ {HM {N) {0} {P} ‘
1 {Q) {R) {S) {T) 1
i (Uy {V) (Ww) {X} t
1{¥) {Z) {0} {\} i
i413 (7) ©.) £7} 1
ita? tb) {c} {d) '
!{e} '
i4id '
i tm) i
iq) :
i {ud
iy)
The first of two, obvious aspects about the program becomes clear
as you scan the screen; that is, the filenames are NOT presented in
an alphabetical order. With the exception of the replacement of
DELETEd files, the relative chronology of the files on the disk
will be readily apparent.
Second, the sheer number of filenames may at first be overwhelming.
While 76 filenames may initially seem like a lot to look over, you
will probably find the broad perspective of a disks contents more
satisfactory than a small bunker window which shows less than a
dozen filenames at a time.
The "absolute” number of files on a disk are not indicated. Only
the number of files NOT visible on the current screen. If you have
more than 76 files on the disk, the number is indicated after the
current page number and followed by “+ files”. A number greater
than zero indicates that another page may be accessed.
31
Pressing “F5° reveals a similar screen format.
The line above the menu window will indicate which utility you are
accessing with an empty “{ }° rather than “(F5]~, and the name
highlighted within a colored block. Aas you move to other the
utilities, the block and empty ~{ }~ will change accordingly.
Pressing the key indicated within any of the (bracketed) prefixes
preceding a filename activates the function upon the file. If you
choose the bracketed character for the BOOT, you should see a
LISTing of the BOOT progran. If you “view” a machine coded
program, you will see spaces filled with mostly unintelligible
“non-ASCII“ characters. A Quill_doc will be unformatted, with the
text strung together. Quill_lis files will be ASCII files roughly
formatted to show the layout.
The "Pre-VIEW’ function allows you to view the contents of a file
without actually having to LOAD it and then LIST it to the screen.
Often times you do not need to "look at" an entire file. If this
is the case, then press the “(esc)ape” key to pause or abort the
pre-VIEW. Of course, you may use the QL’s "standard” “CTRL F5~ key
combination to pause.
Pressing the ~/" key will change the highlighted word ("pre-VIEW")
in the top line to WSTATus.
Accessing the WSTATus utility allows you to determine the file size
(bytes), and the date the program was saved.
If you press “/°, again, you will see that it has changed back to
pre-VIEV.
Pressing “Fl” will put you into the COPY utility. You will see a
flashing cursor after the word "to" near the top of the main
window. You must respond to this by either pressing <ENTER>; or,
-m’,“r°,°f° and then <ENTER>; or, ~o” <ENTER> followed by the drive
type and <ENTER> and the number and <ENTER>, again. This becomes
the temporary default.
Pressing “F3~ again reveal a now familiar screen format.
(F1] COPY [F2] de-FILE { } seri COPY [F4] re-FORMat [(F5] pre-VIEW
32
To change the SERial connection being used by your printer, press
the double quote key ‘shift ~). You will see the top line will now
indicate the change. You can always toggle back by pressing the
double quote key (combination) again.
(F1] COPY (F2] de-FILE { )} ser2 COPY [F4}] re-FORMat [FS] pre-VIEW °:
You will probably note that there is a "blank space” between the
“Cesc) EXIT“ prompt and the clock. This is occupied by a "CAPS ON”
message when appropriate.
The same screen format is used for all standard utilities, The
exeception is WCOPY and WDELete which allow for somewhat less
discriminate file handling.
To access the SuperTOOLKIT’s WCOPY facility, press the "toggle" key
after you are in the COPY utility and after you have indicated the
destination. Upon entering this portion of the program, you will
see that you may choose:
_tdloc _falba _dibif
_Cgirt _tolther/serial
WCOPY flp1_@ PLATYPUS_Cextension type} C1<K<
Or, press “ENTER”, if you wish to execute a indiscriminate WCOPY
from the the first file onwards.
If you choose “d°, the WCOPY will be all files having the ~_doc”
extension; “a° will be all the files having the “_aba”~ extension;
and, so on.
If you choose “o”, you can either press “ENTER” and access all the
files; or, you may either choose another extension (e.g., “bin”).
Although the second prompt asks for the “_fextension name)“ you may
INPUT the beginning portion of any filename “string” ‘partial or
whole) which followe an underecore/”_~; thus, if you INPUT either
"QLU" or "QLUSTer” ‘or, some other portion of the name), you should
get both “QLUSTer” and “QLUSTer_doc” if they are both on the disk;
and, any files which begin with "QLU" (if that was the partial
“string”.
The process is similar for WDELete.
QUIT a utility by either selecting another utility via the function
keys, or by using the “(Cesc)” key to access the "opening page" to
access the “AUTO_EXECute page”.
After you QUIT an EXECutable program, you will be RETurned to
QLUSTer“s “Cesc)”/"QUIT" page. Proceed.
To set the time, first access the opening screen. Then “TAB” to
the “CLOCK”. If the time on the QL°s clock is incorrect, you may
RESET the clock to "day one”; change to current time, or ignore.
33
To reset the time to “Sun. Jan 1, 1961 00:00:00° simply use a
“shift ENTER” key combination. To access the time setting routine
press the “Space Bar“; then, simply use the “up” or “down” cursor
key(s) to adjust the numerical value, and then press “ENTER” to let
your QL know that you wish to proceed. Alternatively, you may
“TAB’/“shift TAB“ to another choice.
FILE. DIRectory
The “FILE.DIRectory” is an active file. The medium being accessed
by the program must NOT be WRITE PROTECTED. If you "pre-VIEW" the
“FILE. DIRectory”, you will see that it is a list of all of the
files on the disk
FILENAME Length
Filenames longer than 19 characters are NOT recognized by the
program. While more explicit (i.e., longer) names are nice, the
“real” world only allows 12 character filenames, so longer
filenames is a bad habit to get into. The suggested maximum length
is still only 14 characters.
CHANGE DEVICE <ConTRoL> esc)
The “right cursor” and “left cursor” keys are used to move from one
drive to another of a similar mediun
To access “device3_~ from “device2_“ via the cursor keys you must
use a “shift right cursor” key combination. This prevents unwanted
access of a potentially non-existent device.
If you wish to access a device other than “flp1_“/"mdv1_“/“raml_",
then press “o°/°Q". Accessing a device which is not on your system
will cause the QL to either crash (if there is no SuperTOOLKIT), or
to set up a file which reads "ram3_FILE.DIRectory” on the disk in
“flpl_° (if, for example, you requested "ram3_"),
Great effort has been taken to reduce the likelihood of “crashing”
the program. Nonetheless, it can happen by attempting to duplicate
a filename of an existing file on the same medium when RENAMing, or
by COPYing to a non-existent medium.
Send comments, questions, or queries to
Al Feng
15 Wake Robin Court
Woodridge, IL 60517
U.S.A.
€708) 971-0495
34
ELIAD’S WANDERINGS
by #.P, WANNUM
Here are some recent requests made to UPDATE for assistance in
either buying, selling, or an appeal for assistance in the area of
Sinclair or Cambridge computers. In the last issue all such requests
were answered by other helpful readers, so I hope this tradition
continues. This is users helping users. We accept " for sell” from
subscribers, for free. For non-subscribers, we will take it under
advisement on a case by case judgement.
(1) I am very interested in hardware projects, and would like to
see articles on, or talk to someone interested in (a) high density disk
interface for the QL, ‘b) converting cheap Apple Simms for use as QL
memory expansion, (c) building the QL Expansion box from the Technical
Guide or a review of the Rebel version, (d) build a card to drive an
IBM PC backplane to allow use of higher quality displays, disks, etc.,
Ce) article on which QUANTA programs work on each version of the QL,
Contact: Don Walterman, P.O. Box 176, Troy, MI 48099-0176.
(2) In the last issue I asked for a fix to connect my ZX-81 toa
monitor, and many good people responded. Now I have another query. I’m
using a Z-SI/O I/F card with the TS2068 together with SPECTERM-64 V4.1.
The IYF card is the 2050 version. With these items I can transmit at
3007/1200 bps very well. My modem is the 1200 he Avatex. The question
is, how can the Z-SI/O be used to transmit at 19200 as it is claimed to
be able to? If anyone has done this, or knows how to do this, I would
appreciate your help. Armand Drucker, 194-02A 67th Ave., Flushing, NY
11365.
(3) I have a copy of Wordmaster and Typeliner and am having a
problem with it. I have auto linefeed on my printer OFF, I loaded
fcustom and reset linefeed from 10 to 0, but still I get double line
spacing. I°m using an Aerco interface and verified with the appropriate
PEEK that it is in use. Help! Thomas E. Bair, 316 Atlas, K.1I. Sawyer
AFB, Mich. 49843.
(4) I need help in setting up a Printer for graphics. The printer
is an Okimate 20, which does not have a manual. I have both the
Commodore and IBM plug in cartridges for it. Without a manual, it is
"Hunt and try forever”, I want to get the codes I need to enter to get
it to work with Print Factory and Pixel Print. Also has anyone ever
tried to set these programs up for the Olivetti inkjet printer? Both
printers still have many useful years left in them if I can get them
to handle DTP. Send any helpful information you may have ta me at:
Eliad P. Wannum, c/o UPDATE COMPUTER SYSTEMS, P.O. BOX 1095, PERU, IN
46970. Your help will be appreciated.
(5) Mechanical Affinity is looking for QL software to market, be
it from anywhere on the face of the planet (off planet will be
considered). We are flexible on the terms of royalty, so present your
software and what you are looking for and we can negotiate from there.
We can also dispose of most Sinclair hardware for a fee. Contact us and
let us know what you have. Phone Paul at 317-291-6002 or Frank at
317-473-8031. Or write to Mechanical Affinity, 513 East Main St., Peru,
IN 46970, Please do not ship till we have been contacted, unless it is
a “donation”. Our goal is to extend the usefull life of Sinclair and
Cambridge computers.
55
re:Update
1150 Windermere Dr.
Poh. Pa 15218-1144
This letter and its information is “inspired’ by a comment in
your “Left Handed Ways of Working a Printer", page 20 of the
October 1°89 issue of Update Magazine.
My computer set-up consists oat two computers and three
printers. Their printers are tied together WITHOUT expensive
or manually switched "A/B" switches, yet the correct printer
functions every time.
The actual arrangement of these devices is shown in the
enclosed sketch.
Specifically, two serial printers are both connected to my
QL’s Serial 1 [CSER1] port. The two printers are electrically
wired in parallel, the printer turned “on" is the one that
prints.
This et mpl scheme works because all the electrical signals
from an "off" printer are electrically “high” or in plain
Jargon, just mot there. When a printer is Eurned "on" and
“ready" it then sends an electrically "low" signal to the
computer, allowing the computer to transfer data to the
printer. Turning the printer "off", or "off-line", or "out of
paper" transfers this signal from electrically “lTow" to
“high", stopping the computer’s data transfer to the printer.
umn ag up this arrengement, the QL will send pean er data
throu SER1 t h
RES ee switch obey pointes coors erry? cetele” ith Skreet
printer.
I also have one parallel printer that is similarly wired.
This printer is wired electrically in parallel with my QL’s
special parallel port and to my second computer’s parallel
port. The second computer is my trusty and well equipted
2X-81. The ZX-81’s parallel port is a Memotech CIF. I only
use and turn “on" one computer at a time, the QL or 2X. The
computer “on" then prints to the common parallel printer.
Operation is electrically similar to my serial printers. The
Parallel interface from the “off" computer is electrically
"high" and therefore funtionally non-existant.
The advantages of this simpler approach is the elimination of
expensive "A/B" switches plus the need to consciously select
the correct switch setting.
Regards,
Mort Binstock
Coernra UD
[SERIAL
PRINTER 1
OL COMPLITER
Ed Grey Enterprises
P.O. Box #2186
Inglewood, CA 4
(213) 759-7.
Call The
SPECTERM-6G4 ¢TS-4.1
SPECTERM-64 4.1)
A.1)
on tape... ae. «812.50
AERCO, JLO, Larken $12.56
CLEDOS v Bead
wanipulater? on tap
Loader Vo CMterm 2 Enhancer? wc aeeeeees » $12.58
PC-Draw (ver 3.4) of LapBacac ew ensrecene $12.50
COLOR2GREY (convert color to greyscale) .$12.50 +
QL Used/Tested w/ Cent I/F, cables, SW...$139.95°
1520 Printer/Plotter Tested, I/F, all SW.$125.00
T/S2068 Used/Tested, CPU/Kybd only........%60,00-
T/S2068 Tested w/CPU, Manual, FS, Cables..$75.00
T/S1568 Tested w/CPU, Manual, PS. Cables. .$40.00
Tested w/CPU, Manual, PS, Cables..$25.00
sted w/ PS, Specterm-64..,.$50.00
Printer w/ 1 roll paper..s
B LEK
« $25.00
@, 1500) ...
Tested Cfor 206:
der Tested w/ PS
t paddled, w/2056 & docs. $26.00
pply Only (Used/T dd... $12.50
te Monitor C12", gr » $30.00
above manitor and 2 disk driv «$15.90
NOTE? AlL T hardware is subject to lability.
: 37
2y Matter BBS & RCF/M (213-971-6260)
3
}
3
tte beta det da ee ee
On LAPS cee ee ene ee 12,50 + $2.50 SEH
+ $2.50 S&H
+ $3.00 S&H
+ $3.00 S&H
+ $15.09 + $2.50° Sah
+ $2
+
$10 SAH
$7.50 S&H
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£5.80.
$3.50 :
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$7 50
$7.59
Publishing J
The Sinclair Desktop
ournal
Volume 2 leoaue 1 Winter 1991
& 193891 Waloome
Welcome to the first tesue of the Sinclair Desktop Publishing Journel for 1991!
We here at the SDPJ hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and we ere
also looking forward to a great year for Sinclair Desktop Publishers with more
reviews, more in depth DP package uses and plenty of news on new products|
and services!
We have a big year ahead of us, with more and more Sinclair users becoming’
interested in desktop publishing, 80 1 would like to go over some SDPJ
publishing points:
The SDPJ is Edited by myself, Mike Felereki it is created using the
Word-Master, Print Factory end Pixel Print Pius desktop publishing programs:
for the TS2068/Spectrum computers. The SDPJ covers desktop publishing for
TSI000, TS2068, Spectrum, Ql and Z88 computers. Since the editor does not:
own a QL or 288, the SDPJ invites any freelance writers who wish to submit
articles regarding DP programs or utilities for these systems to send them to
the address below. They must be in 6 1/2" x 11" format (allowing 3/4” left
Margin for three hole punch)
Articles may also be submitted as follows In Tesword Il, Spectral Writer,
MSCRIPT or Word-Master format. They may be supplied on 3° (SSDD) or 3
V2 (SS, DS, DSDD, 40 or 80 track) diskettes, Articles may elso be sent on
for any of the above mentioned computers.
The SPPuU
elf/e Mike Felereaeki
7t284 Brushwood Avenue
Cinocinnatl, OH 45224
56
as BVEScen Fantenr-aricd
3 Fent Packasens
Compiled by the SDPJ Staff
This issue we are going to look at three of the
ost noted font packages available for the
‘TS2068 and Spectrum computers on this side
of the Atlantic Ocean. The packeges are: Jack
Dohany’s Font Manager, Byte Power's First
Class Fonts 2! and Bill Ferrebee’s Font Packages.
Each package has been reviewed based on font
editor ease of use, number of fonts and look of
fonts. Each package provides fonts in the B x
8 pixel (or point) font size, which is the only
size reviewed (an article discussing larger point
fonts will be covered in the Spring or Summer
"Sl issue of SDPJ)
So now turn to Page Two for a review of each
of the SDPJ's top three font packages for 1991:
By Mile Felereki
When it cames to the tradition of simple and
straight forward hardware and software
interfaces from Romantic Robot Ltd of Great
Britian, VideoFace fs no exception! VideoFace
is a hardware interface and software package
for the TS2068 (see note at end of article) and
Sinclair Spectrum which allows the user to
digitize video images from any composite video
(output) signal
Composite video (output) signals can be found
on the back of VCRs, LeserDisc players, some
television receivers and video Camcorders
(eome Camcorders may require an interface).
This is also the same signal which is output
from your TS2068 “monitor” and Spectrum
RGB port. The output jack is usually an RCA
type connector.
Sinclair Desktop Publishing, Journal
__ Winter 1951_ Page 2
Byte Power's First Class Fonts I
Cost: $2255 for Editor, Fonts & Utilities
Available From:
Byte Power Magazine
1748 Meadowview Avenue
Pickering, ON LIV 3G8 Canada
First Class Fonts I is a font and utilities peckege which
follows the Byte Power standard of “Powerful yet Simple”
software which became so popular in BPs Print Factory
‘series of Desktop Publishing programs. Bere in mind that
First Gass Fonte It arrived on the ecene first.
Byte Power's
. The program Fonts 0
First Class Fowts I inctudes @ <Puint and
Qick> font Definer end
er hin oad (TS2040 and competible
ta Bla ONLY) word processor.
are ain Bold = The program also hokds 28
myle fonts in its Mbrary for
z LOADing SAVing and
ine air ere editing (aka font Defining)
The most notable feature
lacking s the ability to
modify the program for
disk 1/0, There is no BASIC available to modify as there is
in the Print Factory programs. So all LOADing and SAVing
is via cassette.
foee
The First Class Fonts I package also includes four utility
programs: 64 Column Print, Double Print, Real Double Print,
Includes font editor: I yes
No
Via BASIC
Separate Versions
None Supported
TS2068
Spectrum
Disk I/O: j
Versions:
fease of Use:
Users Manual:
RERRRRA SARA
semi-relocatable and can be used within the user's own
Programs.
Finally, there is a DEMO program to show off and explain
each of the utilities First Class Fonts Il includes a four page
users manual
3
Jack Dohany’s Font Manager
Coat: $20 for Manager, Editor & Fonts.
Available From:
Jack Dohany
‘390 Rutherford
Redwood City, CA 9405!
Like many of his other software products, Jack Dohany's
Font Manager" is a very inter-ective program. The top
third of the screen displays the current font, the center third
|dieplays the buffer font, and the bottom third contains the
menu command choices.
Feats Fron sack Dohay’s
Fant anager
WB BiG? Bséered
Cate ook
i Le pe
rat
And these special fonts:
tine eka sanans
é
deniepy = Font and .
Program which directly supports UDGs Font Manager can
hold a font Ubrary of up to 20 fonts and a buffer font in
memory at one time,
Font libraries, UDGs and individual fonts may be SAVEd
and LOADed. There is alao a command to save a (backup)
copy of the program itself. Both cassette and popular North
American disk interfaces are supported.
Font Manager includes a Font Editor which uses arrow keys
or a joystick to manipulate a cursor for "Pixel" toggling.
There is also a built-in
Includes font editor: @ Yes
No
Via BASIC
Separate versions
Disk 170: i
Wone Supported
Friendly” nature of the “ZERRARRRRAR
program itself. Font Manager is very flexable and does
everything needed to manage, edit, an view fonts
‘See page three for the review of Bill Ferrebee’s
Font Editor and Font Packages.
’
Piel Print usere. At that time each
package of fonts was sold individualy.
Now all three pakages including the
Bill Ferrebee’s
Font Package(s)
Pachane 1 Packese 2 Pachase 3
INE Helvetica tandie
ines
:
tf aH
iz a
ry relgir €
5x5 ig ix .
c
*
Chancery
Font Designer/Manager is available in
one set.
Several of the fonts are impressive.
The Font Designer/Maneger is simple
and straight forward, it fs BASIC
modifiable for disk 1/0, and it gets the
pb done. But like Jeck Dohany’s Font
Manager, it lacks the flair of Byte
Power's Font Definer.
A weparate peckage available is a %
via BASIC
Separate Versions
None Supported
TSz068
Specteum
Using the peckage
Once the hardware interface is plugged
into the back of the computer, the
composite video signal cable is plugged
in, and the video source is turned
it auto-runs and produces the Main
Menu on screen. The main menu has
the following options:
(c) 987 BY PMS
on Typeliner, “The Desktop Publisher"
'Z OR ‘SPACE’ = STOP SCANNING
QOR P =x START SCANNING
'S’ = SAVE SCREEN 1 TO 6 OR ALL
"C= COPY
*A' = ANIMATION ( 6 SCREENS )
‘© FAST
*'S' = SLOW
ADJUST LEVEL CONTROL FOR
‘THE BEST RESULTS
PRESS 'T = START SCANNING
"2 = ANIMATION ON
°F = ANIMATION OFF
(Continued on next page.)
z
zy
ps
LE
SeZR AES f
Sere Lid
a2
a iL
eeigir?
jeeltaie i
Mie
|
1) Realize this is the image you wish
to save,
2) Presa the STOP key,
3) allow the computer to realize it
must stop!
Once the ecanning hes stopped, you
may view the six saved images, save
‘any one or all of the six images (es
SCREEN$e), COPY (via TS2040 or your
Winter 1991 4
In all, the VideoFace digitizer from
Romantic Robot is a high quality edd
an for the Sinclair Spectrum family of
computera. It is supplied in an
attractive, customized case and it does
what it promises to da The only
thing lecking is indepth documentation
with helpful digitizing hints.
The VideoFece Digitizer is available on
sale for "2295 from:
Romantic Robot UK Ltd.
54 Deanscroft Avenue,
London NW9 SEN
VISA Accepted
Phone: 081-200 6870
NOTE: Word on the street
indicates the VideoFace may be
Plugged into the back of a TS2068
without Spectrum modification.
The SDPJ essumes no
responsibility for damage to
hardware based on information
may be entered with Word-Master or
loaded from an alternste word
Processing program such eas MScript.
Graphics (SCREEN$s) may be loaded
into Word-Mester (vie the File
Handling feature) from such sources
as video digitizers, or graphic art
Programs.
Once the text and graphics are
selected and loaded into Word-Master
file handling, Word-Master fonts may
ai
iH ;
lps,
rarite
if
if
eG
$f
g
F
mg
j
8
F
if
i
H
f
i
i
and Print Factory's Quick Screen.
co
here is no doubt that Word-Master,
uthor’s opinion that it rivals any
package available on any eight-bit
computer eystem!
Next issue, look for the SDPJ's firet
annual "Product Roundup’, @ 1% point
font review, a look at VectorWare’s
PIX-FX and the latest on the NEW
Pixel Print Professional version, See
you in May! —MJF
SUPPORT YOU SINCLAIR DEALERS!
QL DESKTOP PUBLISHING by Frank Davis
Desk Top Publishing on the QL is a large, yet seldom broached
subject for QL users. I hope in this column to be of some help in
getting this subject known and in more use. There are several fairly
good programs and tools available to us. I will be first telling what
is available and from where.
I will list what programs are available (that I know of), price if
known, and from where they are to be gotten, along with what is
required in the way of hardware to run them, Next issue we will get
more into the differences to be found between these programs and some
tips on their use, Information from you the user is solicited, along
with your questions.
The first known DTP program for the QL seems to have been FRONT
PAGE, from Gap in England. This is set up to run from microdrive, and
can be ran on an unexpanded QL. It is available from SHARPS
for $29.95 plus $1.00 P & H, and is also available from Mechanical
Affinity for $22.00 with P & H included. This program may also be
available from RMG, so you may want to check there also.
FRONT PAGE EXTRA III is similar to the above program, but is set
up to run from either disk or microdrive and can make use of expanded
memory. It can be purchased from SHARP’S for $34.95 plus $1.00 P & H,
This may also be available from RMG, but not from Mechanical Affinity
at this time. Both of these programs allow you to add pictures and
graphics into your text, as well as vary your print style and size
(font).
PAGE DESIGNER is a program that is part of the QUANTA library and
can be purchased via their North American librarian, Paul Holmgren.
This can be set up on microdrive, but runs best on disk as it makes
use of numerous pictures, graphics and fonts. There is a slight charge
from the librarian to cover expenses, so give hima call early in the
evening at 317-291-6002 to inquire. I don’t know if this program needs
memory expansion to run, as I have always used an expanded QL and
never a 128K one with it.
PAGE DESIGNER 2 is the non public domain and polished version of
the above program. I have yet to see this one in action, but it has
been favorably reviewed in QL World magazine. It is available from
SHARP’S for $59.95 plus $1.00 P & H.
DESKTOP PUBLISHER and DESKTOP PUBLISHER S. E. are available from
SHARP’S for $45.95 and $79.95 respectively. The special edition (S.
E.) requires disk drives to use.
PROFESSIONAL PUBLISHER by Digital Precision is considered by QL
World to be the most extensive DTP for the QL. Many also consider it
to be the most complex to learn, coming with a manual large enough to
qualify as a book. I have used this enough to know that it can be put
to at least some use by even beginners, but still let you know that
there is a lot more to learn before becoming proficient at it. It does
require disk drives and is available from SHARP’S for $99.95 plus
$1.00 for P & H. This progran, as well as DESKTOP PUBLISHER and
DESKTOP PUBLISHER SPECIAL EDITION can also be purchased direct from
Digital Precision Ltd., 222 The Avenue, London E4 9SE.
Perhaps the easiest way to combine text and graphics is to
purchase the program Overdrive from SHARP°S for $24.95. This will
allow you to add graphic symbols to your Quill files. I have usually
seen this program listed under leisure in SHARP’S catalog which
throws one off into thinking it is a game.
I have all but Page Designer 2 (which I am getting) so as I get
more into these programs over the next few months I will be sharing
with you what I find out. Send anything you wish to share or ask to
UPDATE COMPUTER SYSTEMS, P. 0. BOX 1095, PERU, IN 46970. See you next
issue. All dealers listed in this article have ads in this issue. F.
W. Davis
TWO-COLUMN & WIDE
TASWORD PRINTOUTS
Bob Hartung, 2416 N. County Line Rd. E.
Huntertown, IN 46748
The following routine was devised to
get around the hassle of doing a double-
pass to print out side-by-side columns
from TASWORD files. With a little afore-
thought in forming the file, it will al-
so print 65-128 characters per line with
alternate lines continued on_ the same
Tine as the one preceding. To do this,
word-wrap and right-justify must be
turned off unless all justification is
done in the second part of printed line.
If a file is already in RAM either
from being loaded or written into TAS-
WORD, it will be preserved when this
routine is loaded in after a BREAK is
made from TASWORD Basic. Stored files
may also be loaded into the routine if
device syntax is changed from Oliger
SDOS as listed. A printer driver must
be installed if you do not have SDOS or
a driver on EPROM.
NOTE: If lines 20-70 are deleted from
this routine and tape commands and FIND/
REPLACE deleted from TASWORD, this rou-
tine may be merged with TASWORD. Add
POKE 23300,60: POKE 23301,3 to line 9700
to use SD0$ printer driver with lines
9702-9704, or else delete these lines.
20 CLEAR 33068
38 ON ERR RESET
48 INPUT "LOAD tasfile - £*’*Do LPRINT
- d"’"PRINTER set - c "sa
56 IF a$="*" THEN INPUT “File name: ";
aS: LOAD /a$CODE
68 IF a$="c" OR a$="d" THEN GO TO 9788
78 GO TO 48
9788 ON ERR RESET : LET /p=o
9701 LET d$="*: CLS : LET o=NOT PI:
I=S6N PI
9782 INPUT “Enter 4 to skip printer-set
*38$: IF s$="4" THEN GO TO VAL "9785"
9783 INPUT “Prtr CODE -1 TO STOP "yb: IF
b<)-I THEN LET d¢=d$+CHR$ b: PRINT bj”
";: GO TO VAL "9703"
9704 LPRINT d$: IF a$="c"
"20"
9705 INPUT “Left Marg: "su’"Ctr Mar
g ()=2): "3c’"No. chrs/col: “s;cols: DIM
c${c): DIM d$(u): LET u=o: IF cols>VAL
"64" THEN LET u=I
9788 INPUT ‘First line no. to print: "jf
irstin: LET firstin=firstin-I: LET tasfi
le=VAL "first1n¥64+33286": LET b=Il: LET
c=l
7769 ON ERR GO TO VAL
LET
THEN GO TO VAL
"7886"
9718 LET linect=o:
9711 FOR N&tasfile TO VAL "52486"
AL "64"4VAL "64" %u
9712 PRINT AT INT PI,0;
9715 INPUT "*: PRINT #0;AT I141,0;" LINE
“;c’* BREAK LPRINT TO STOP "spglines;"~-*
jlinect+]
9736 LPRINT d$;
9735 FOR J=N TO Ntcols-I
9748 IF PEEK j)VAL "31" AND PEEK j<VAL *
128" THEN PRINT CHR$ PEEK J;: LPRINT CHR
$ PEEK Jj
9741 NEXT J
9742 LET c=ctl:
VAL "9778"
9743 LET colsZ2=Ntpglines#VAL "64"-I
9745 LPRINT c$;
9746 PRINT AT INT (PI#PI) ,0;
9747 FOR x=cols2 TO cols2tcols
9748 IF PEEK x)VAL "31" AND PEEK x<VAL "
128" THEN PRINT CHR$ PEEK x3: LPRINT CHR
$ PEEK x;
9749 NEXT x
9758 LPRINT
9762 LET linect=linect+I: IF linect=pgli
nes THEN LET pglines=VAL "57": LET linec
t=o: LET N&cols2+1: GO TO VAL "9986"
9776 NEXT N
9808 PRINT FLASH I’* STOP LPRINT “: PAUS
E VAL "188": LPRINT : ON ERR RESET : GO
TO VAL *20"
9908 LET b=b+I1: INPUT “Insert PAGE “;<b)
ybt
9928 GO TO VAL
LET pglines=VAL "54"
STEP V
IF u THEN LPRINT : GO TO
"9770"
DROPPED BYTES
When your MSCRIPT V5 drops an occasional
printer-data byte after an AB switch and
patch cable have been inserted into a
parallel printer line, this fix sug-
gested by John Oliger in his I.F. manual
may work: POKE 35834,0. It may also
work on later versions, but ONLY if the
original values are 192 for PEEK 35834
and 8 for PEEK 42845, respectively. ae
have used it on both my Oliger and Aerco
I.F.s, although the Oliger I.F. did not
show any problem with the original code
even with the AB switch and added patch
cable inline. Apparently the additional
transmission-distance as well as the
processing by the I.F. sometimes causes
await signal from the printer to be
delayed so it doesn't change the READY
state in time. -- Bob Hartung
43
Ll POMINO CUBES 272 971 Sé38 =
_ 355 WEST 89th ST. boa
on NEW YORK CITY 20078-1407. bad
- PRESIDENT. .....MIKE FINK baad
, IND AUTOM
, PRINT AS MANY C
IT woutp EVEN
FIT IN A SMALL SHOULDER BAG AND
WHAT A MIRACLE! 3!
€ THIS PRINTER AND COMPU
THAN & POUNDS?!
MATION EXISTS...
FOR LESS THAN
iP CAN BE
INCREDIBLY, SUCH
A THOUSAND DOLLAS
THE COMPUTER IS THE Z~8& Bees
THE PRINTER IS THE DICONIX 150
IT WILL PRINT 150 PAGES, OR £0 MINUTES NOTSELESSLY WT
PLUGGED IN, VOU
ING WEARS OUT-.
R IS GOP FOR 20
m
S$, OR UNTIL So
uN our AT ABOUT 500 COPIES,
RATTERTES, AND FOREVER ON THE A !
THE PICONIX PRINTS EPSON, IBM, GRAPHICS, SOR IE ars WUBLE WIDTH ,
CONOENSED, Sumecerer, SUPERPORIFT, ITALICS-(EXCEPT IBM), O8 ANY COMBINATION
OF THESE,
IF ELECTRICITY IS AVAILABLE, YOU CAN USE THE C~730 SQUARE DOT PRINTER,
WHICH IS A LITTLE FASTER, AND COSTS A LITTLE LESS THAN THE PICONIX,
A GH IT IS NOISTER, THE RIBBON IS A LITTLE CHEAPER THAN THE INK, AND
IS GOOD FOR ABOUT 300 PAGES,
There are several piaces to buy the computer
and ar the printers.
BUT—THERE IS ONLY ONE PLACE TO BUY THE KNOWLEDGE OF HOW
TO MAKE THE MACHINE DO THESE FANTASTIC THINGS ! |!
= POMINO cuBES ™
100 pencent SECURITY FROM VIRUSES!!
i __@ CALL TO ARRANGE FREE DEMONSTRATION @@ >
THE EASIEST AND BEST WORD PROCESSING PROGRAN!!
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN PRINTED rofiea e@esakuy ON THE 150,
44
= DOMING CUBES 212 F771 Sess =
oa rv a 355 wWeEsT =9th st. . =
= Sd NEW YORK City 19918-1401 ¢ =
= President mike fink =
THE NAME OF THIS FILE IS DISKRIPTION.PD, IT LISTS AND DESCRIBES THE VARIOUS DISKS
THAT ARE FOR SALE.
DISKS CAN BE MADE TO GRDER FOR YOU, JUST CHOOSE WHATEVER FILES OR PROGRAMS YOU NEED
OR WANT AND WE WILL TOTAL THE COST AND IF POSSIBLE DEDUCT A LITTLE IF YOU CHOOSE
SEVERAL PROGRAMS ON ONE DISK. A SMALL DESCRIPTION OF EACH TITLE IS GIVEN ON PAGE 2, TO
HELP YOU SELECT THE ONES YOU WISH. MANUAL A IS A BEGINNERS MANUAL AND IS FREE, (ALONG
WITH SOME OTHER FREE TITLES,) IF YOU BUY THE 7-88 FROM US. MANUAL B IS AN ADVANCED
MANUAL THAT GGES INTO SOME DETAIL. MANY OF THE AREAS ARE COVERED IN GREATER DETAIL
SEPARATELY IN COLUMNS A,B AND C. WHEN MANUAL B IS FINISHED, IT WILL COVER ALL THE AREAS
THAT ARE COVERED SEPARATELY, BUT NOT AS DEEPLY DETAILED.
SEE THE FOLLGWING PAGES FOR DETAILED DISKRIPTIONS
$5 19 $15 $25 $50
a B c D E
1 ELITE96.PD QUAD-EQ. BAS HEADS-TAILS.BAS ANAGRAMS3-7.BAS PRIMES-FINKS. BAS
2 FLAG-GR. BAS PATTERNS-GR.BAS DERIV-SP-SH.PD MAIL-MERGE FORM1949SPSH. PD
3 USER-DEF1. BAS FORMATTING.PD 9X SPSH-FUNCTS.PD REMOTE-CNTRL.PD PC~LINK-@L
4 BOXES.PD MANUAL-A.L @ PR-ED-EXS.PD MANUAL B PAYROLL-SPSH.PD
5S CONDENSEDI32.PD ALL-LOTTO.BAS @ FORMAT-EX.BAS BASIC-PATCH-A
6 CONDELITE16@.PD LIST-FILE.PD BASIC-PATCH-B
7 PROP77NJ.PD CHECKBOOK. PD BLAISE. BAS
8 PRIORITY.PD
9 DX1IS@WIDTHS. PD
1@ BAR-GRAPH.BAS @
SOME DISK FILES CAN BE ISSUED GN PAPER PRINTOUTS, FOR LESS MONEY FOR PEOPLE WHO AS
YET, DO NOT HAVE A DISK DRIVE.
$75 $190 $125 i $258
F cl H J K
1 PC-LINK-IBM PC-LINK-MAC 4 PIPEDREAM-PC
2 MONEY-TABLES.L 4 SPELLCHK-PC
@ EREE FILES WHEN YOU BUY THE Z-88 FROM DOMINO CUBES,
W 32K EPROMS COST $45 + s$@
128K EPROMS COST $95 + $G@)
@ 3.5" of 5-1/4"
G = 1/2 THE COST OF EACH DISK DRIVE PROGRAM,
EXAMPLE! Di + D2 ON SEPARATE DISKS = $59
Di + D2 ON ONE DISK = $49
Di+D2 ON 32 K EPROM = $45 + $12.58 + $12,598 = &7G
USE: ELITE-1.PED; 95 SEC
495
= Pomrmirmna CURES Bie rey. Sesto Ld
= SSS WEST Fthn ST. Lal
Lal NEW YORE Crt™y 19318-14051 =
Lal PRESIDENT.-.-..MIEE FINK —_
page 2 - DESCRIPTION OF THE FILES (numbered ON PAGE 1)
DISK DS IS FREE' BHEK YOU THE 2-88 FROM ME} IF YOU SIGN THE NOR-DIVULGENT PLEDGE!!
Al =HOK 70 MAFF S¢ CHARACTERE/LINE INSTEAD OF 8@...DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS AND EXAMPLES,
2 =PEGINNERS EXAMPLE OF SIMPLE GRAPHICS WITHOUT GOING INTC THE GRAPHICS MODE} USA FLAG, AWD PROGRAN IN BRC BASIC,
AZ =HOK 10 REACH SPECIAL GRAPHICS CHARACTERS (EPSON), IN BBC BASIC WITH EXCELLENT EXTRA EXAMPLE OF HOW TO PRINT
DIFFERENT FONTS FROM BASIC, AND HOW TC USE THE LITTLE KNORN SPACE COMMAND, AND A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW AND WHERE
TO USE THE WIDTH COMMAND!!!
A@ =ROW TO USE PIPEDREAM TO DO QUICK SRAPHICS WITHOUT PROGRAMMING IN BASIC, MAKING USE OF THE TRANSLATABLE CHARACTERS IN
#5 THE PRINTER EDITOR. SEE DISK C4 FOR PRINTER EDITOR EXAMPLES!
AS =HOW TO MAKE £32 CHARACTERS/LINE INSTEAD OF 86... DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS AND EXAMPLES,
Ae HOW TO MAKE 168 CHARACTERS/LINE INSTEAD GF 8@...DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS AND EXAMPLES,
7 =HOW TO USE PROPORTIONAL SPACING, (-LOSING JUSTIFICATION-), SOME DETAIL
AB =EXPLAINS THE 2-88’S ALPHABETICAL SORTING PRIORITIES; IF POSSIBLE????
AG =HOW TO MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENT CHARACTER WIDTHS OW THE DICONEX 158; DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS.
AIS=BAR-GRAPH AND/OR PROBASILITY CURVE EXAMPLES FREE WITH PURCHASE OF THE Z-e¢
By =PRINTS THE REAL ROOTS FOR ALL QUADRATIC EQUATIONS, IF ROOTS ARE IMAGINARY, IT SO STATES.
82 =USING THE Z-B8 CHARACTER CODE AND THE PRINTER EDITGR TRANSLATIONS, THIS MAKES BEAUTIFUL PATTERNS THAT YOU CAN ALTER
BY MODIFYING THE PROGRAM! IN COLOR IF YOU HAVE A COLOR PRINTER.
83 =HOW TO FORMATS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT FILE, ALONG WITH DISK C4!!
24 =THE UNDERSTANDABLE BEGINNERS MANUAL BY MIKE FINK, THAT ALLOWS YOU TO USE AND ENJOY THE 7-88 WITHOUT GETTING
FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY, TRYING TO FIND ANSWERS IN THE CAMBRIDGE MANUAL WHICH IS GOBBLEDEEGGOK.
BS =PROGRAN IN BBC BASIC GENERATES RANDOM LOTTG NOS. FOR ANY STATE LOTTO--BY MIKE FINK; FREE WHWN YOU BUY THE 7-88 FROM
BONING CUBES,
Bé =HOW TO MAKE AND USE LIST-FILES
47 =BALANCE YOUR MONTHLY BANK STATENENT-QUICK, EASY
rod
I
Ci =A SHORT COURSE IN ELEMENTARY PROBABILITY.
C2 =EXAMPLES OF HOM TO CREATE AUTOMATIC DERIVATIVES WITH THE POWERFUL SPREADSHEET FUNCTIONS! !
C3 =EXAMPLES OF HOW TO USE MOST OF THE SPREADSHEET FUNCTIONS--QUICKER AND EASIER THAN PROGRAMING! !
C4 =HOW TO USE THE PRINTER EDITOR} THE MOST IMPORTANT FILE AFTER DISK B3.
C5 =HOW TO FORMAT YOUR SCREEN AND PAPER PRINTING FOR YOUR OWN PROGRAMS, A MATHEMATICAL INVENTION BY MIKE FINK, MAKES YOUR
MARGINS AND CUTPUT EASY.
rod
Lm
D1 =THIS PROGRAM PERMUTES H THINGS, NAT A TIME. THE THINGS IT PERMUTES, ARE LETTERS, NUMBERS, SPACES, SYMBOLS OR ANY
COMBINATION OF THESE. FOR EXAMPLE 17 WILL PRINT ALL ARRANGEMENTS OF 4 LETTER WORDS FROM A GROUP OF 4 GR MORE LETTERS!
02 =THIS PROGRAM IN PIPEDREAMS ALLOWS YOU TO CREATE YOUR OWN MAILING LIST AND MAKE ONE LETTER WHICH CAN AUTOMATICALLY BE
ADDRESSED TG ALL GR SOME GF THE PEOPLE ON YOU MAILING LIST.!!
03 =REMOTE CONTROL - A DISCOVERY BY NIKE FINK REQUIRES THAT YOU PUT IN WRITING THAT IF YOU PURCHASE THIS INFORMATION,
$25 YOU WILL NOT NOT MAKE COPIES FOR OTHERS, NOR GIVE THIS KNOWLEDGE TG ANY OTHER PEOPLE!!
THIS SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE IS FOR THE SOLE USE AND ENJOYMENT OF MY CUSTOMERS! !
D4 AN ADVANCED MANUAL BY ME, COMPILED FROM ALL THE OTHER FILES THAT TEACH AND SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE THIS INCREDIBLY
SOPHISTICATED COMPUTER DO SO MANY INTRICATE, FASCINATING AND WONDERFUL THINGS.
DS =ALLOWS OW SCREEN LINE EDITTING CF BEC BASIC WITHOUT GINS BACK AND FORTH TO PIPEDREAM, SHOKS SOPHISTICATED
PROGRAMMIRE FOR GRAPHICS,
Db =ALLOWS ON SCREEN LINE EDITTING OF BEC BASIC BITHOUT GOING BACK AND FORTH TO PIPEDREAM, SHOWS SOPHISTICATED
PROGRAMMING FOR GRAPHICS,
=A GREAT SCREEN VIDEG SHOWING PASCAL’S TRIANGLE, A BALL VISIBLY AND AUDIBLY FALLING THRU THE TRIANGLE CREATING THE
PROBABILITY CURVE SHOWN ON SCREEK AS A BAR-CHART!!!
Hy
S$
= DOMING CUBES SiS F71i Sete =
-_ SSS WEST SFtm ST. =
= NEW YORK Crryr 19916-14051 Lal
= PRESIDENT......MIKE FINK =
page 3 - DESCRIPTION OF THE FILES (numbered ON FAGE 1)
DISK DS 15 FREE! WHEN YOU BUY THE Z—-@G FROM ME; IF YOU SIGN THE NON-DIVULGENT PLEDBE!!
sancseasesseansssecesssscese
€1 =ENTER ANY NO. LESS THAN A BILLION, AND IN A FEW SECONDS, YOU WILL KNOW IF THE NG. IS A PRIME, AND IF NOT,MHAT ITS
FACTORS ARE, IF THE NC. FALLS INTO ONE OF MIKE FINK’S FAMILIES; DISCUSSED IN DETAIL. MR. FINK IS THE FIRST PERSON ON
THIS PLANET TO DISCOVER THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. HIS ORIGINAL PAPER WAS PUBLISHED IN MENSA MAGAGAZINE SOME
YEARS AGO, AND LENDS ITSELF TO THE SIMPLE PROGRAM SHOWN, WHICH IS THE RESULT OF COLLABORATION WITH MR. FINK?S BROTHER
ROBERT FINK} {-CANADA-).
$58 EZ =A MULTI-PAGE INCOME TAX FORM SPREADSHEET THAT ALLOWS YOU TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR TAX LAYOUT SO THAT ONCE YOUVE FIXED 17,
EACH YEAR, YOU JUST FILL IN THE NUMBERS, PUSH ONE BUTTON AND ALL-ALL-ALL THE CALCULATIONS ARE MADE FOR YOU; AND YOU
PRINT AS MANY COPIES OF ALL, OR PART OF, THE RETURN AS YOU REQUIRE WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TG A COPY SHOP!!! ONCE YOU
MODIFY THE FORMS 10 FIT YOUR NEEDS, YOU SAVE IT ON A DISK OR AN EPROM, AND YOU CAN DO YOUR WHOLE RETURN IN LESS
THAN AN HOUR!!!
E3 =GOFTWARE AND A CABLE TO TRANSFER FILES AND SPREADSHEETS TO AND FROM YOUR GL! !
TINTS PAYROLL CHECKS AND DEDUCTIONS FOR AS BIG A LIST AS YOU WISH, AUTOMATICALLY AFTER YOU ENTER THE DATA
SSEESsRecens:
-LINK-EBM) CABLE, SOFTWARE, 5-1/4" DISK} TRANSFERS FILES TO AND FROM IBM TYPE PC'S
$75 F2 *EVERYTHING INVOLVING MONEY, INTEREST, AND TIME BY AIKE FINK
peesneeesezscs!
SEBeEeeRsEs:
HL =MACLINK] CABLE, SOFTWARE, DISK} TRANSFERS FILES 10 AND FROM MAC TYPE PC’S
$125 H2 =3.5? OR 5-1/4" SPELLCHECKER FOR THE PC} WHEN LGADED BECOMES A PULL-DOWN MENU AND OPERATES FROM WITHIN PIPEDREAN. IT
PROVIDES CHECK-AS-YOU-TYPE, OR FILE CHECKING, USER DICTIONARIES, 98,969 WORD MASTER DICTIONARY, BROWSING WITH
WILDCARDS AND ANAGRAMS, ON A FAST COMPUTER, SPELLCHECK CHECKS AT ABOUT 49,
6 WORDS PER MINUTE.
KI =PC PIPEDREAM DISK-~~GIVES THE SPREADSHEET AND NORD PROCESSIAG FUNCTIONS OF PIPEDREAM BIRECTLY INTO A PC ON EITHER
$258 SIZE DESK, AND ADDS FINANCIAL FUNCTIONS, POPULATION VARIANCE, ALLOWS YOU TO REDEFINE THE PC KEYBOARD, USE FOREIGN
CHARACTER SETS, MACRO FILES, PRINTER DRIVERS, LOTUS CONVERSION, AND MORE,
New address: Domino Cubes
1800 7% Ave. Suite |-¢@
New York, NY 10026
New phone: 212-749-706]
47
NON—-EPSON SCREEN
DUMPS FROM EASEL
-~ Bob Hartung -~
All is not lost for Trump Card users who
want to do screen-dumps from Easel but
do not have an Epson-compatible printer.
All that is required is to make a screen
save as provided by the program, then
after aborting the program, load this
data back into the display file where
the Trump Card SDUMP (or other screen-
dump SW) may be used on it. This pro-
cedure may also be used on screen data
saved as in example 1 for SBYTES in the
keywords section of QLUG.
Insert DIR to display a directory before
entering LOAD name. Note that the first
value in SDP_SET must define the type of
your printer. Experiment with others of
the same make if your particular model
isn't listed in the TC manual. A RESET
will abort EASEL and load in this
routine as BOOT if saved on your screen-
data disk/mdv.
SCREEN DUMP ROUTINE
1@@ FLP_USE flp
119 TK2_EXT
128 CLS #1
125 INPUT ‘Scale 1-2-3: ‘;sc
138 SDP_SET 16,sc,1: REMark C.Itoh
146 INPUT 'Screen name (in flp2_):
e$
158 name$='flp2_' & name$ & '_pic
16@ INK #8,8: CLS #0: CLS #1
165 WMON
176 LBYTES name$,131672
188 SDUMP
198 INK #0,7
260 STOP
218 SAVE flp1_scrndmpCIT
'\nam
fini RCO
ACME ELECTRIE #O8 87 £6
Box 18093 Austin TX 78760
Ph (512) 451-5874
46
EMSoft
Software for the GL. that really works
Now has in-stock the very best true WYSIWYG
QL word-processor: text? ver 3.01 with Qtyp
spell check and several new features. (and
unlimited North America help line), $119.95
fountext®s graphic drivers $49.95
founted#® font editor $29.95
2488 24 pin drivers $29.95
COMING SOON
typeset®®-desk jet HP-desk jet driver
Due to adverse exchange rates we had to raise
prices. There are a few titles in stock at
the old price. Call for availability.
Order two or more Software*? titles and take
10% off the second title, 15% off the third
and fourth. (Not applicable to text#?.)
$24.95
$19.95
$24.95
_dbf $24.95
dbf $24.95
Get free update to ver 3.1 in
$4.95
_aba
dbf
“dbf
TAX- 1-QL/90
INVENTORY
TRUST_FUND
QLAND_LORD
MAILBAS
(Order now.
02/91) (EMSoft_dbf upgrades)
From Wood and Wind
DBTutor dbf
DBProgs dbf
Chaos Busters dbf /s3
$24.95
$19.95
$29.95
From MEDAC
Ask for statistical and engineering software
New Titles:
Files2 files utility upgrade for Taskmaster.
Now also Exec’s instead of TKI! $26.95
MS-QLink read/write/transfer MS-DOS and QDOS
or MS-DOS disk formatting any drive @$34.95
TabEditor A friendly editor with word wrap
in up to ¢ight colums with hard TAB @$34.95
QLUuMSi 00S file handling simulator $19.95
On 5.25"/3,5". Microcartridge add $3.00/cart,
FREE CATALOGUE
EMsSoft
P.O. Box 8763
Boston MA 02114
(617) 889-0830
COMPUTER THERAPY
Bill Woodward
In the spring cf 1980, I suffered two brainstem strokes. The legacy
of the apoplexy was very little physical damage, but mostly mental,
e.g., aphasia, apraxia, ataxia (impairment of speech, coordinated
movements, and involuntary muscles), and loss of equilibrium. Thirteen
days in the local VA Medical Center and six weeks convalescence at
home let prepared me to return to my work as a teacher in Florida
State Prison.
In October 1980, a fellow teacher purchased the world’s first com-
puter under $200.00 the ZxX80O for me. My condition would not let me
make the purchase myself. This was the start of putting my mind back
together.
As time and money dictated, I acquired the ZX80 upgrade, a 64K ram
pack, the ZX81, the SPECTRUM, the TS2068 and other goodies ever see~
king the THE COMPUTER. In January of 1983, the stress of the job fin-
ally disabled me with "poststroke syndrome” and I had to quit work
I was learning computing to communicate. Word and math games were
a must. Over the years they have “rewired” my brain. Word processing
seemed a must. I search high and low for information, for programe,
for anything that would aid in my recovery.
My attention was taken by a short math program in the SYNC maga-
zine, I toyed with it, I dreamed of it, and played with this program
through the ZX81 up and finally on the TS2068 I developed a program
for the SUM magazine, i.e., SMILY FACE ARITHMETIC.
I purchased several word processors(?) as they were being developed
for the ZX computers. Most left a lot to be desired, but Bob
Fingerle“s processor was the best up to that time. As a matter of nec-
essity, in a term paper in December of 1982, I used LPRINT and the
statement for each line to print a two page term paper for my college
class. It was slow but it worked.
When Tasword I1, with its embedded printer commands, made its debut
it became my mouth piece. When Sir Clive made the Quantum Leap, that
was Ice Water to a thirsty man. Unless you have been deprived of use
of some of your faculties you will never understand how exuberant I
became with my new QL and its Psion software; out of this world!
When I was elected editor of the stroke club bulletin, I said, "You
are all out of your trees.” The first one page bulletin took me three
months and looked like the first letter a grade school student wrote.
I edited the stroke club bulletin for four years, each one an improve-
ment on the previous one, I made a minor data file of the member’s
names, addresses, phone numbers, spouses, and birthdays.
When it came to making address labels, it was easier for me to
figure out how to print the three across label from QL Spread Sheet
than it was to figure out how DUMP works on the QL Data Base, so I
print all our mailing labels by using the QL spread sheet.
I also needed a good Checkbook Balancer. To me the only near good
one was the one for the ZX81 after I had modified it. Don“t get me
wrong. Tam not a programmer. All I know about the computer is what I
have learned from necessary since I had my strokes. My brain does not
always give me the information I need for the job at hand. I have to
keep the manuals handy so I can refresh my memory on how to or what
does the present job. I am nat crying over spilt milk. I am proud of
the fact that the Good Lord gave me enough gumption to get in there
and scratch for the knowledge to make this computer do as I say do.
After eight years of digging I am still digging and thankful to
have the energy to keep at it. I am glad that Bill Fischer has given
me the room in his QLUSA to place my commercial. THERE IS NO SUCH
THING AS A FREE MEAL or a computer that runs itself as you wish it to
do, I know what you are experiencing when you sit down to the computer
and stare at the keyboard and the cursor blinks back at you.
i am going to try to remember the times I have wondered to myself,
"Which key do Il punch to get this thing started?" Then I will write
out an article about WHAT DO I DO AFTER I TURN ON THE SWITCH
I have had to buy software, firmware and hardware to get my compu-
ter to get my computer to obey me. 1 am still in the novice class af-
ter eight years. I am not afraid to ask questions, or to have anyone
to show me how to do something. Most of what I work with was developed
or inspired by others. Two operations that are a must in computing is
to SAVE and BACKUP frequently. 1)DO NOT LEAVE YOUR COMPUTER, EVER
WITHOUT SAVING WHAT YOU ARE WORKING ON! 2)DO NOT QUIT FOR THE DAY
WITHOUT BACKING UP YOUR DISK OR MICRO CARTRIDGE. When you have worked
for hours and failed to SAVE or BACKUP and had a sudden lightning
strike and your monitor looks like finger painting by Gargantua you
will wish you had both SAVEd and BACKUPped! Believe me.
So 1 put my Bank Statement Reconciliation ideas to work on the QL
spread sheet. See the results on the front page of QLusa Vol.1988/ 15S
#1. A normal programmer should write that in couple of hours, but it
took me several years. Each idea had ta be developed and tested to sec
if it did the work that I needed. Some ideas came to me in the middle
of a deep sleep and by the time I was awake they had vanished but re
turned at a later date. Since my strokes, ] have had to remove the
word FRUSTRATION from my vocabulary and replaced it with the word IN-
SPIRATION. Now when something will not work, instead of getting hot
and blowing up I remain calm and use the cause of my failure as an
incentive to correct the problem. I was warned to stay out of al)
STRESSFUL situations
The beauty of the QLSS is the fact that you only have to fill one
square at a time, and it is very easy to see what you do as you moc
fy the “program” and you can see the result of each change as you make
it. More on this later.
The QL with Quill and Abacus became my work horse. All of my cos
respondence is on the word processor and all my doodling is on the
spread sheet. From what I have heard no other computer has a]! the
ease of operation as the QL with the Psion programs.
IF
Have you ever wondered what you would do IF the command IF was sud~
denly obliterated from the computer languages. If IF was not available
to the computer hobbyist it would have had to be invented
In the Check Book Balancer I needed a way of differentiating be-
tween debiting a check amount and crediting a deposit amount. QLUG
ABACUS Page 44 IF(expression,true,false). Remember, in its native
tongue, binary, the computer speaks only two ciphers, 1 & 0, true and
false, or as a switch on and off. In cell E10 we placed the formula
IF(D10,G9+D10, GO-E10). Translated into English this reads IF cell Bio
contains a number add the amount in cell D1i0 to the total in cell F9
and put it in E10, or if cell B10 does not contain a number subtract
the amount in cell D10 from the total in EQ and put it in E10. In
ABACUS you can link together or concatenate many IF statements to make
the computer choose among many alternatives, e.g.
IF(B10,E9+D10, IF<(C10, E9O*¥D10, IF(A10,E9/D10, E9-D10)))
In BASIC this expression, IF..THEN..ELSE, also gives us a way to
program the computer into making a choice. The statement reads IF the
statement ie true THEN the computer will do this; IF the statement ic
false it will do ELSE.
We have one more IF statement, QLUG ARCHIVE page 44 IF n.exp:...¢
else :...1] : endif. Without ELSE If the expression is true the fol-
lowing statements are executed. IF false execution transfers to the
statement following endif. With else if true the statements between IF
and else are executed. Otherwise the statements between else and endif
are executed
These are a few of the ways this little insignificant(?) IF can be
used. I have only scratched the surface to show you that with a little
ingenuity and perserverance you can work wonders with the Psion soft-
ware,
QL UPDATE ISSUE DISKS
These disks contain at least one major piece of software written
specifically for disk drive and are guaranteed to be worth the
money. The rest of the disks are filled with various utility
programs taken from the issues of UPDATE anda few surprises
thrown in. Half of the money goes to the author and is meant to
encourage new programming - for the QL that makes use of the
disk drive systems, and microdrives on both the expanded and
unexpanded QL. Where possible we will give a version for each of
these configurations. Some of the programs take advantage of TK2
by Tony Tebby. All are 20.00, except QLuster, which is $15.00;
includes P & H, add $1.00 CAN.Available as 3 1/2 or 5 1/4 disks.
Add $5.00 for mailing to other countries. We accept personal
checks, company checks, money orders as well as International
Postal Money Orders, but no charge cards. If ordering on MDV,
then please include one that is already formatted, so we will
Know it will run on your QL. Due to the expense of MDVs this is
necessary. If two MDVs are required we will state so in the ad.
1) HARTUNG UTILITY ISSUE DISK- Several excellent programs such
as stand alone data base, Address, and QSO files. All are in
Superbasic. Lots of hints and tricks for programmers. Requires
some knowledge of Superbasic or a yen to learn. Recently updated
by Bob Hartung. Address file can be used as inventory program.
It can print out labels. Both screen or paper printouts can be
by Alpha sort, or be by last name.
2) CABLE ARCHIVE ISSUE DISK- Contains six Archive programs along
with Doc files to get you going on making use of the Archive
programming language. Also has Tasket, plus Doc file, to give
you multi-tasking on your QL (much cheaper than QRAM or
Taskmaster). Included is Arithmetic, a Superbasic program for
math, along with math drills. This is for both the advanced and
beginner user and greatly extends the use of Archive. To order
on microdrive send two formatted microdrives, too much for one!
3) QLUSTER ISSUE DISK by Al Feng- Q@1 utilities to unclutter your
disks and microdrives. COPY, DELETE, FORMAT, PRINT, VIEW, plus
extended use of some Tool Kit 2 commands. TK2 is required. These
are TURBO compiled for speed. Multitasks and uses minimal key
presses. Includes Fast-Disk and Vegemat2, a super Clone making
program. Also Snap Shot-a directory column or condensed printout
progran.
4) DOS EMULATOR COMPANION ISSUE DISK by Al Feng- Just released
in Oct. issue. Makes better use of Solution, PC Conqueror,
DisCover, XOVER, QLuster and scr_codes. If you are going to use
the emulators, then check this out, you won’t regret this buy.
5) QLuMSi DOS by Al Feng- a MSDOS simulator and front end
program for the QL, also includes other programs by AL Feng for
file management and cloning of programs. A Great Learning Tool
UPDATE COMPUTER SYSTEMS invites you to submit software programs
that may become Issue Disks. Please submit program on disk, with
documentation and article to accompany the program. We are here
to get North American software available and known. We solicit
programs, tips, reviews and utilities for future issues.
TS2068 UPDATE ISSUE DISKS
These disks contain at least one major piece of software written
specifically for disk drive and are guaranteed to be worth the
money. The rest of the disks are filled with various utility
programs taken from the issues of UPDATE andaé_ few surprises
thrown in. Half of the money goes to the author and is meant to
encourage new programming for the TS2068 that makes use of the
various disk drive systems. Presently we are offering disks for
the Larken and Oliger Interfaces, but have programs available
for the Aerco (just as soon as I hear that there is a demand to
have available). All are $20.00 per disk (add $1.00 Canada) and
include postage and handling. The programs have been Temporarily
lowered in price to make them more widespread among the TS2068
Users! Both 3 1/2 and 5 1/4, 40 and 80 track available- Please
add $5.00 for mailing to other countries. We accept personal
checks, company checks, money orders as well as International
Postal Money Orders. We do not have facilities for charge cards.
1) MITCHELL BUDGET DISK, with wide spreadsheet printer driver,
MS-TAS and various other utilities. Available as either Larken
or as Oliger format.
2) Bob Hartung DOSDEX UTILITY ISSUE DISK, a complete disk
management group of programs for the Oliger Interface only. This
includes Multi-Manager for file handling. This collection has
recently been updated.
3) MAIL MERGE ISSUE DISK, Oct 87 and Jan 88 issues of UPDATE
utilities added to fill out this disk. Includes a tutor program
for the Mail Merge program, List Looker, Purity, J-Utilities and
Extra Memory Utilities.
4) MITCHELL VIEW CALC ISSUE DISK, forget the old slow VU for
tape! The rest of the disk is filled with other utilities
plus some Public Domain for fillers. At this time for Larken
format only.
5) OLIGER DISK DRIVE BBS PROGRAM, this allows users of the
Oliger interface to be able to operate a disk based bulletin
board from the TS2068. The disk is also filled with many other
Oliger disk routines and tips on using the Oliger System. New by
Paul Holmgren. Can use upto four DSQD disk drives.
6)The HYBISCUS ENSEMBLE, consisting of two separate, but
complimentary sets of programs. A) Daisy.B6 Ensemble, and B)
Udbm.B6 Ensemble. LKDOS only, $22 each or $36 for both. The best
file and database available for Larken, by Bill Jones. The price
remains the same on this one, no change. Wordprocessor included.
UPDATE COMPUTER SYSTEMS invites you to submit software programs
that may become Issue Disks. Please submit program on disk, with
documentation and article to accompany the program. We are here
to get North American software available and known. We also
solicit minor programs, tips and utilities for print in future
issues of the magazine. Please do not submit unlistable programs
or copy protected programs.
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